With much of the focus on the quarterback position -- and rightfully so -- what happens for the Steelers if they don't get a developmental rookie quarterback early in this year's draft?
That's where things get interesting.
Team president Art Rooney II has been having some sitdowns with local television stations this week and shared this with WTAE's Andrew Stockey.
"We want somebody who can grow into someone thought of as the franchise quarterback," Rooney said. "The goal is somebody who fits that description.”
But that doesn't mean the rest of the league will make it easy for them.
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place next week in Indianapolis, which will perhaps shed some light on the situation. So, too, will the pro days that will follow.
They might also give the Steelers an idea of whether or not it is realistic to expect one of the top three quarterbacks -- Liberty's Malik Willis, Pitt's Kenny Pickett or Matt Corral of Ole Miss -- will be available when they make their first pick in the draft at 20.
Obviously, free agency will affect that, as well, as many of the teams in need of quarterback help might be inclined to address the position with a veteran player -- the Steelers among them.
Currently, if you run any number of mock draft simulators, the Steelers typically have a quarterback available to them when their first-round selection comes up. But in this latest mock, that was not the case.
If that happens, where do the Steelers go? Let's take a look:
Round 1, Pick 20: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia -- Pickett went ninth to the Broncos, Corral 11th to the Commanders and Willis 18th to the Saints, leaving me with a dilemma. I could try to trade back. And there were some attractive players. But the only offer I had was from Houston, which didn't have another pick until 35. That didn't interest me, so I take a massive run-stuffing nose tackle in Davis. Is he a two-down player? Perhaps. But he pushes the pocket and moves well enough and the Steelers have enough other pass rushers, that they could play him on passing downs and it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. The run defense should immediately be better.
Also considered: Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum and guards Kenyon Green of Texas A&M and Zion Johnson of Boston College also were available. But I think the Steelers will address their offensive line in free agency. Wide receiver Treylon Burks of Arkansas also was attractive, but there will be receivers in later rounds that I like, as well.
Round 2, Pick 52: Jalen Pitre, DB, Baylor -- Pitre played slot corner. He played deep safety. He played strong safety. In fact, he's got some Minkah Fitzpatrick-like ability to him. He had four interceptions, 6 sacks and four forced fumbles the past two seasons. If Terrell Edmunds leaves, the Steelers could use a player such as Pitre to replace him. Or, even if they sign a veteran or decide to open the season with a veteran placeholder, Pitre could fit into the nickel corner conversation. He's versatile.
Also considered: South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, Georgia guard Jamaree Saylor and LSU linebacker Damone Clark were tempting, but Pitre's ball skills are more so. And if there isn't a rookie quarterback to add to the equation, the Steelers are going to have to win with defense. Might as well go all-in on that side of the ball.
Round 3, Pick 84: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan -- Honestly, this just makes too much sense. A product of Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Moore gets to stay at home. The Steelers have had good luck with MAC wide receivers who shifty and Moore is the next in that line. But he's not necessarily a small receiver at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. He's very much like Diontae Johnson in that he just gets open.
Also considered: Louisiana offensive tackle Max Mitchell, Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard and Georgia linebacker Quay Walker were interesting. But I couldn't completely ignore the offense, especially considering the team's free agents at that position.
Round 4, Pick 138 (compensatory, projected): Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota -- Waletztko caught my eye at the Senior Bowl. He's a long, lean offensive tackle with some projectable skills. But he'll need some time to develop. That's fine. It's never a bad idea to take a developmental offensive tackle.
Round 6, Pick 207: Jeremiah Gemmel, LB, North Carolina -- Gemmel is 6-0, 225 pounds, but he's the kind of hybrid linebacker that the NFL now covets. I expect he'll run well at the combine, which should help his stock. But in this draft, he's still more of Day 3 pick who will provide some depth and help on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 221: Zamir White, RB, Georgia -- I didn't expect to take a running back in this mock, but White was sitting there in the seventh round, so I had to take him. A talented and powerful runner, the only real issue with him is that he's torn both ACLs in the past. But he had strong seasons in 2020 and 2021. This is a pure value pick.
Round 7, Pick 237: Connor Heyward, FB, Michigan State -- You're just going to continue to see this pick made because it just makes too much sense. Heyward won't push Derek Watt off the roster in 2022, but he will take over that role in 2023 after spending his rookie season on the practice squad.