A few years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick. He failed to live up to expectations, and he has bounced around the league a few times, recently signing with the Panthers. Now the Steelers find themselves in a similar situation, this time with Alabama QB Ty Simpson. NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah believes the Pickett disaster could deter the Steelers from selecting Simpson.
“I just think that the ghost of Kenny Pickett will probably scare ’em off of that… I just think the limiting starts there would be a little bit worrisome. And I think they do like Will Howard there, I know they took him later,” Jeremiah said Monday on his Move The Sticks podcast.
The Steelers have a clear affinity for Will Howard, but as Jeremiah mentions, he was a sixth-round pick. Simpson also has intriguing traits, with some calling him the best quarterback in the draft over Fernando Mendoza.
That’s a significant honor, especially after Mendoza won a National Championship, as Howard did the year before. But Simpson has a plethora of positive traits. He put together a very nice stretch of play to start the 2025 season. He is capable of making tough NFL-level throws, plays with timing, and understands how to go through progressions as he reads a defense. All these skills will translate to the next level.
But, as with Pickett, there are risks. Simpson has minimal starting experience. The back half of his lone season as a starter wasn’t as impressive as the front half. He isn’t very athletic, which causes his mechanics to falter under pressure.
Jeremiah doesn’t see the Steelers selecting him at 21st overall. But he is a little more open to the idea if the Steelers can trade down.
“I would be surprised if they pulled that there. Maybe in…a trade-back scenario, I could see it,” Jeremiah said.
Trading down for Simpson would be an interesting idea. While they traded up instead of down, the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart in the first round last year after the Steelers passed on him, a decision some regret on the Steelers’ behalf.
But Simpson would have to fall to the 21st pick for that to happen. If his stock continues rising, the Steelers might not even have that choice. And if they trade down, another team may swoop in if they predict the Steelers’ intentions.
However, trading down might not be the best idea. The Steelers already have 12 draft picks. There’s little chance they plan on adding all 12 picks to next year’s roster. That first-round pick would also be very useful to select another position of need, like receiver, the offensive line, or somewhere in the defensive backfield.
Given Ty Simpson’s recent hype, trading back and still landing him might be great value. But Jeremiah doesn’t expect Pittsburgh to take him with the 21st pick.
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