Carter's Talking Point: Steelers' 2022 comp picks open up a QB market taken on the South Side (Steelers)

NORTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS

Sam Howell.

This wasn't the year to find Ben Roethlisberger's heir. 

Some thought this was the year for Kevin Colbert to make a move in the quarterback market, but the top five quarterbacks of the class were gone by the Patriots' 15th overall pick.

The Steelers have only naturally picked at 15th overall twice (2007 and 2015) since Mike Tomlin has been head coach, so trading up may be their best option to find Roethlisbeger's heir.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com released his projections for 2022 NFL Draft compensatory picks, which predict the Steelers to receive third and fifth round picks. While that isn't as many as other teams with four or five, it could be enough draft capital for Colbert to make moves to get the Steelers' preferred quarterback next year.

That's not enough to move up into the top three picks of the NFL Draft, like when the 49ers traded three first round picks to do so to get Trey Lance, but it would be enough to trade up in the first round. But it would be enough to move up to other picks 10th or 15th overall, where Justin Fields and Mac Jones were selected.

Just in 2019, Colbert used a 2019 second round pick and a 2020 third round pick to swap their 20th overall pick to get the Broncos' 10th overall pick. Colbert felt that trade was possible because the Steelers gained third and fifth round picks from trading Antonio Brown to the Raiders. Although these would be compensatory picks that would come later in those rounds, it still could provide the same ammunition to trade picks in earlier rounds.

Next year's draft class has multiple quarterbacks that could project as first round picks, including North Carolina's Sam Howell, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder and Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler, among others.

Those projected quarterbacks could change by next year just as Zach Wilson and Trey Lance did in 2021. Next year will be a sweet spot for the Steelers to make a big move for a first round quarterback.

YOUR TURN: Is 2022 the NFL Draft to find Roethlisberger's heir?

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