Steelers Projected to Gamble on ‘Deep Shot Savant’ QB

Getty For the Win's Christian D'Andrea predicted Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a risk on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers stressed during his end-of-the-season press conference that quarterback Kenny Pickett will see competition for the team’s starting job in 2024. USA Today’s For the Win’s Christian D’Andrea argued for that competition to come from Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

In his latest NFL mock draft, D’Andrea predicted the Steelers to select Penix in the first round.

“There are plenty of red flags that dot the Heisman runner-up’s resume, including the fact he was buoyed significantly by an incredible cast of receivers,” wrote D’Andrea.

“At his core, he’s still the dynamic passer that created magic throughout his Husky career. Washington went 25-3 with him at the helm, and while quarterback wins don’t mean all that much he also threw for more than 9,500 yards in that stretch which is … phew.

“Penix can be the deep shot savant Pittsburgh hoped it was getting in Kenny Pickett. And with a selection outside the top 20, he’d be only a modest risk for a team in need of a franchise QB.”

D’Andrea’s mock draft came out before the playoffs started. At that time, the Steelers held the No. 23 overall pick. The playoff results led to Pittsburgh moving up to No. 20 in the first round.

Ironically, the Steelers used the No. 20 pick selection to draft Pickett two years ago.

Steelers Predicted to Draft Michael Penix Jr.

This isn’t the first time the Steelers have been linked to the Washington signal caller. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson projected the Steelers to not only draft Penix but to move up from No. 16 to No. 10 to get him.

Wilson likes Penix to the Steelers for much the same reason D’Andrea argued the team as a landing spot for the Heisman Trophy finalist — the deep ball.

“The Steelers offense feels like it’s coming from the 1850s, not even the 1950s,” Wilson said during a TV appearance on CBS Sports Network. “And what you get from Michael Penix Jr. is a guy who can throw the deep ball. And guess what Diontae Johnson and George Pickens like to do? Run deep.

Penix finished his senior season at Washington throwing for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in 15 games. He also had a 65.4% completion percentage and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt.

Penix, though, came up short in the national championship game against Michigan. He completed only 27 of 52 attempts for 255 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in the 34-13 loss.

That, along with his other red flags, caused D’Andrea to not consider him a top 10 pick as Wilson did in December. But D’Andrea clearly still liked the fit with the Steelers later in the first round.

QB Rumors Swirling in Pittsburgh

Tomlin added on January 18 that he believes the team’s 2024 starting quarterback is already on the roster. However, that likely won’t stop the rumor mill behind center in Pittsburgh.

ESPN’s Marcus Spears argued on January 17 that if the Steelers signed Kirk Cousins, they would become instant Super Bowl contenders.

A few NFL pundits, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, have also connected the Steelers to Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson.

Quarterback trade rumors have swirled too. FOX Sports’ Keyshawn Johnson has been one of a few NFL analysts to urge the Steelers to acquire quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears.

It’s only January. NFL media will likely continue suggesting the Steelers as a landing spot for free agent quarterbacks and rookie signal callers for the next several months.