Welcome to this week’s Pittsburgh Steelers mailbag. After eight days of the new league year, the Steelers have gotten marginally better on both sides of the ball, landing names such as Michael Pittman, Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean, and Jaquan Brisker. After an eventful week, let’s dive into your questions.
Q: Which team is the Steelers best rival? – Polamolicules_Dude
A: In the 1970s, it was the Raiders. But it’s the Ravens by a country mile. Raiders-Steelers haven’t played a meaningful game against one
another since 1984.
Q: The last time the Steelers had a losing record was the year before they drafted Ben. Do you think that the Steelers should continue to kick the can down the line and bring back Rodgers for another non-losing season or should they start Howard and draft in the 1st round next year? The direction of the team seems to be that they aren’t ready to move on from Rodgers just yet. – Status Quo Is God
A: At this point, bringing Aaron back is their best option. If they want to compete, that is, which we know they do. And to be fair, the Steelers can have their cake and eat it, too. They can be competitive and draft their quarterback of the future. It just means they’ll have to trade up like the Chiefs did for Patrick Mahomes and like the Bills did for Josh Allen. I would bet a lot of money they make a trade before or during the draft that lands them more picks in next year’s draft so they can move up, assuming they don’t take a quarterback in the first round this year.
Q: Who are the “smaller school”, sleeper quarterbacks who might be good draft candidates? Could a Steve McNair, or Doug Willams be out there, and getting overlooked? – SteelerSince73!
A: I’ve been pretty open about being anything but a draft expert – it’s certainly not my expertise, so I don’t want to lead you in the wrong direction. From the limited stuff I’ve seen on Cole Payton from North Dakota State, he’ll go somewhere and might have a fun preseason showing for a team. I’d direct you to my friend Cory Kinnan of Daft on Draft for those kinds of questions.
Q: Do you see Brisker or Day as the starters and if not will they draft a safety or DT early in the draft? – jomac
A: Brisker yes, Day will be the top rotational guy. I think they’ll take a safety early. They have four quality interior defensive linemen, it’s not a big need at all.
Q: Most mocks have us drafting a “project” QB in 3rd or 4th rounds. Drew Allar may have the biggest upside. Why not him? You can’t teach height, weight and arm talent and he has all three. Also, stayed an extra year which, to me, implies real commitment and maturity. Coulda taken the early out. – ClementeLambertGuy
A: If they want Allar, they’ll have to move up for him. I could be wrong, but I’d bet he goes in the first two rounds. Bare minimum in the top 75. Love his tools, and as a Penn State fan I want him to succeed, but there’s work to be done there for sure.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
