Draft prep 101: How the QB draft class may influence who Steelers select at pick 17

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host, Matt Williamson, joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups.

Our final post examines the running backs and quarterbacks.

Approaching last year’s NFL Draft, we spent the entire month of April talking almost exclusively about whether or not the Pittsburgh Steelers would draft a quarterback with the 20th overall pick. Since they did end up selecting Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, that means we’ve spent almost no time discussing QBs in 2023.

Steelers fans shouldn’t completely ignore the class, though, because as franchises maneuver up and down the draft board via trades, that could impact how many passers go off the board within the top 50 picks.

By extension, the more that do get selected means more viable non-QB prospects on the Steelers’ list will remain in the top 50, where the Steelers currently hold three selections. It’s Williamson’s opinion that up to five quarterbacks could be selected in that span. They are (in order of his rankings):

1. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State): “Has there ever been a good Ohio State quarterback in the pros?” Williamson asked, regarding the massive talent assembled in Columbus. “But the more I watched him, the more I thought he is really good (regardless) of who is around him.”

2. Bryce Young (Alabama): “Young has an uncanny feel for the game,” Williamson said, adding one caveat. “Young’s size (6 foot, 194 pounds) bothers me to no end. … It’s not seeing the field. It’s the ability to be the same player in Week 16 that you are in the preseason, let alone three years in. It’s just a durability thing with him. He is very little.”

3. Anthony Richardson (Florida): “I want to know his work ethic. Is he is going to be Jalen-Hurts-dedicated to getting better throwing the football,” Williamson said. “I don’t know.”

4. Will Levis (Kentucky): “I almost put Hendon Hooker in front of Levis. I have a lot of doubts about Levis,” Williamson said. “His decision making, his accuracy, not great. But he doesn’t have the benefit of having the supporting cast of Stroud and Young.”

5. Hendon Hooker (Tennessee): “I think Hooker might sneak into the first (round),” Williamson said. “The knocks on him are that he is old (25), and he is injured. But his tape is really good. A team like the Vikings would be ideal for him.”

HYATT TO THE HOUSE FOR THE 4TH TIME!
NEYLAND STADIUM IS VERY LOUD! pic.twitter.com/hUSsHBbQJq

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said that Pickett would be no better than the fifth best quarterback in this year’s draft. I don’t agree with that. Neither does Williamson. We both feel he’d be third, at worst.

“The coming out of Pitt version might be (fifth). The (current) version absolutely would not be,” Williamson said.

Similar to the quarterback conversation, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren atop the running back depth chart, the Steelers aren’t likely to select a running back during the first two days of the draft. So how many running backs may go in the top 50 to save prospects on the Steelers board? Williamson is only anticipating two: Jahmyr Gibbs of Alabama and Bijan Robinson of Texas.

Breaking down the film on Jahmyr Gibbs @AlabamaFTBL | @Jahmyr_Gibbs1

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
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— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2023

It's been a while since we've seen a running back prospect like Bijan Robinson. @mcshay13 sizes up just what level of a player a team would get in the former Texas star. pic.twitter.com/8XFi1lgSdC

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 21, 2023

“Jahmyr Gibbs is an exceptional, smaller, great receiver. Dynamic. He’s an early pick any time he comes out,” Williamson said. “Bijan Robinson is the best running back prospect I’ve seen at least in the last 15 years. Robinson might be the best football player in this draft. If I was just analyzing tape, (Georgia defensive lineman) Jalen Carter might be the only guy that I have a higher grade on.”

Also, in the podcast, Williamson and I talk more about Pickett’s development, Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda and when (or if) the Steelers take a running back at all this year.

Listen: Tim Benz and Matt Williamson talk Steelers draft: QBs and RBs