Exclusive; Steelers Projected to Add ‘Different Element’ to QB Room
Even with Kenny Pickett on the bench, the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has lost steam after the team’s last three regular season wins. However, there could still be some interesting quarterback prospects available to the Steelers in the second round. So A.J. On the Pro Football Network. Schulte looked at Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and made his prediction. His last NFL mock draft in 2024 sent him to the Steelers.
On January 27, Schulte predicted the Steelers would select Penix with the 51st overall pick in the second round. “Michael Penix Jr.’s draft value varies from scout to scout, but I can’t find any reason why he shouldn’t join the Steelers,” Schulte wrote. “Penix adds another element to the Steelers’ linebacker lineup with his field skills and pocket control.”
Penny completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards during his senior season in 2023, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt. He also passed the ball 36 times and intercepted it 11 times.
Penix led Washington to a perfect regular season, a Pac-12 championship and a trip to the national championship game.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Michael Penix Jr. second round pick?
NFL analysts linked Penix to the Steelers in early January. Christian D’Andrea of USA Today’s For the Win predicted the Steelers would take Penix in the Jan. 10 NFL Draft.
D’Andrea sent Penix to Pittsburgh for the same reason Schulte did. Penix Steelers get what they lack behind center.
“Penix could be the depth coach Pittsburgh has been hoping for under Kenny Pickett,” D’Andrea wrote. “And outside of the top 20, he’s a bit of a threat for teams that need a franchise QB.”
Obviously, the biggest difference in D’Andrea’s mock draft is that the Steelers selected Penix 23rd overall.
On Pro Football Focus’ big board, Penix ranks 20th among all NFL prospects in the upcoming class. The Washington signal caller is ranked No. 30 on ESPN’s Big Board.
So it’s doubtful that Penix will stay on the board after the first round, let alone 51st overall. But if Penix is a reasonable risk at position no. 23, he’s clearly a low-risk, high-reward option in the second round for the Steelers.
How does Penix fit in with the Steelers
Penix’s ability to play the ball deep makes him intriguing for the Steelers. Big plays were sorely lacking in Pittsburgh’s passing attack until Mason Rudolph stepped into the starting lineup.
However, free agency could have a big impact on the Steelers interest in signal callers in the 2024 draft class. On The Ramon Foster Show, Rudolph Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan said they were interested in re-signing him.
The Steelers have also been linked to several quarterbacks in free agency, including Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield and Ryan Tannehill. Exchanges with the sender of the signal are also not excluded. NFL analysts have suggested the Steelers as a possible destination for Justin Fields. If the Steelers make a big move under center before the draft, they will be without a key player in the draft this weekend.
However, if the Steelers re-sign Rudolph and have a quarterback like Penix after the first round, Pittsburgh could add a quarterback on Day 2 of the draft.
