By: Jake Rajala

The Carolina Panthers made a bold move to acquire the highly-talented, yet inconsistent Baker Mayfield. Mayfield may not be coming off his sexiest season (a career-low 17 passing touchdowns to 13 interceptions), but it’s certainly expected that the former Browns QB with 11 wins in 2020 will have the keys to the offense in Week 1. With that said, a fascinating question arises: will the Panthers trade Sam Darnold?

Darnold may be an NFL bust at this stage in his career, but he is still 25 years old. It’s quite true that Darnold’s youth is a positive factor, especially when he’s played with Adam Gase in New York and a Panthers offense that has missed Christian McCaffrey far too much. The former first overall pick Jameis Winston had awful turnover issues at Tampa Bay but proceeded to have his best seven-game stretch at 27 years old (5-2 as a starter). Darnold (who is a free agent in 2023) may not blossom in a new situation in 2022, but he could undergo Bruce Wayne-like training with a new, sharp offensive mind in 2022 or 2023 and then compete for a starting job after a season of development with his new squad.

It seems clear that the Panthers should feel excited with their QB room if Darnold exits the building. Outside of Mayfield, the Panthers also have Matt Corral (third-round pick in the 2023 draft). Corral isn’t only a viable QB2, but he has similar potential as Darnold (at least). Corral can also have a lot more reps with Darnold out of the situation.

Plus, the Panthers could opt to bring back Cam Newton as a veteran presence.

I really believe that CAR should push Darnold out the door for a late round pick. The San Francisco 49ers also haven’t traded away Jimmy G, so the Panthers could benefit from a few QB-needy teams that haven’t been able to acquire Garoppolo. The Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions may be interesting in reeling in Darnold. The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be sneaky landing spots for Darnold — as he could aim to be the potential heir to Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.

I fully expect Baker to be the QB1 for the Panthers in Week 1. Hence, I boldly believe the Panthers should deal away Darnold with their soonest opportunity. At worst, I forsee Darnold being exchanged for a late-round before the trade deadline. It’s honestly the dawn of a new era in Carolina — as Sam Darnold Baker Mayfield and a healthy Christian McCaffrey will look to bring the team back to the playoffs.

The post Will the Panthers trade Sam Darnold? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

Gardner Minshew may sadly be the most underrated cemented QB2 in the NFL and the trade mill surrounding Minshew mania could resemble crickets chirping. I believe that Minshew would be a perfect QB fit for one particular, desperate team: Carolina Panthers. With that enunciated, I’m going to untwine three reasons why Minshew and the Panthers would be a perfect marriage.

Great value option

The Browns are seeking a second or third-round pick for the “expensive” Mayfield, so it’s clear that Mayfield is an expensive, shaky option. Meanwhile, Minshew would likely cost the Panthers a fifth or sixth-round pick. If Minshew isn’t an above-average starter, the GM can still rest knowing that he didn’t break the bank for his services. Meanwhile, if Baker burns out for the second straight season, the Browns would have a “Brock Osweiler” situation with an overly expensive, failed project at QB.

Minshew’s Floor

The Panthers can be a competitive team with an “Alex Smith-like QB”. They have CMAC, a terrific WR duo, and an ascending defense. I trust that the former Jags QB that threw 21 passing TDs, 6 ints, and 3,271 passing yds, as a rookie on a mediocre Jags offense can edge out Sam Darnold and potentially allow the Panthers to build around him for a couple of seasons.

Current QB situation

The Panthers are clearly aggressive for a QB upgrade which shows their hail mary attempt at snagging Mayfield. I don’t love the Panthers short-term outlook with Darnold and the third-round pick Matt Corral. If Darnold doesn’t progress, the Panthers rook could definitely have a hard time beating the Buccaneers and Saints in 2022 and it may be wise for the Panthers to be creative in their search for the right veteran QB.

The post 3 reasons why the Panthers should trade for Gardner Minshew appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Carolina Panthers might have failed in the bachelor QB room this off-season, but they will still anticipate modest talent from Sam Darnold or their rookie QB Matt Corral. The 2022 QB1 will witness a resurrection from Christian McCaffrey, a superb WR (D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson) duo at his disposal, and an OL unit that should improve after the arrival of Austin Corbett and Bradley Bozeman.

I expect the Panthers young, hungry defense to continue to be another dangerous defense in the NFC South. The CAR defense lost Haason Reddick (11 sacks in 2021), but they will expect Yetur Gross-Matos to ascend opposite Brian Burns (Pro Bowler last season).

With that enunciated, the ultimate question is: what is the ceiling of the 2022 Panthers team? The Panthers won 5 games last season and it’s clear that it won’t be easy for the Panthers to be a playoff squad in a division with the loaded Tampa Bay Buccaneers and shiny New Orleans Saints.

Outside of the NFC South, the Panthers will face more brutal opponents. In fact, the Panthers will have the 12th most difficult schedule in 2022. The Panthers will face the following fierce opponents (excluding TB and NO): Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Arizona, Baltimore, and Denver. The Panthers will also face scrappy teams like Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

It will definitely be a challenge for the CMAC-featured Panthers to be a surprise NFC team with their upcoming schedule. I believe the Panthers will have a hard time going blow for blow with the Saints and Buccaneers in those four show-downs. With McCaffrey, the Panthers could hope to play spoilers against talented teams with less well-rounded defenses, such as Arizona, Baltimore, and even the Steelers. I feel that the Panthers ceiling is an 8-9 record, which is the same record as the 2021 Browns and 2021 Ravens. It won’t be easy for the Panthers to be a wild-card team next season, but they could be “competitive and see exciting growth from their rook QB or the highly motivated Darnold”.

The post What is the ceiling for the Panthers in 2022? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Carolina Panthers drafted the former Ole Miss signal-caller Matt Corral in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. The Panthers coach that is on the hot seat entering 2022 stated “We would have taken him high” in reference to Corral. It was clear that Matt Rhule and Ben McAdoo were big fans of Corral’s fit in Charlotte.

Corral doesn’t have a shortage of arm strength, but he did have off-field concerns in the draft process. According to AL.com, Corral slipped in the draft due to his issues with alcohol, depression, and unreliable behavior. Baker Mayfield had similar off-field concerns as Corral, but his overall persona and ability still convinced the Browns to select him first overall.

Rest assured, Corral will have a lot of motivation and confidence on Day 1 as a Panther. He will join a QB room that features a hungry, yet disappointing Sam Darnold. It doesn’t matter if “Sam Darnold is 24” because he has taken steps backward and not forward, to say the least. It’s really a “do or die” season for Darnold in a Panthers uniform.

The ultimate question revolving around the Panthers QB room is: which QB will be the Panthers starting QB in 2022? I honestly expect Corral to recognize the opportunity and seize the starting QB gig. Rhule has been *very* aggressive for a QB this off-season and I expect the Panthers to roll the dice with Corral.

I expect Corral to be effective with CMAC and the play-action opportunities in the McAdoo’s offense. I don’t expect Rhule to be thrilled about handing the keys to the offense to the unfortunate familiar Panthers QB in Darnold. With that said, I believe the outlook for the Panthers QB situation is still scary in the short term. The NFL world witnessed the 2022 rookie Ian Book throw a pick-six on his first series in the NFL and I believe the Panthers could witness growing pains with Corral in 2022. Hopefully, the third-round draft pick can take positive strides and help his team progress from 2021 in the Tom Brady-led NFC South.

The post Matt Corral or Sam Darnold: which QB has the edge? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Courtney Burrows

The New Orleans Saints had a rough 2021 season riddled with injuries, then Head Coach Sean Payton retired, and star RB Kamara got into a fight in Vegas and has charges pending.  Needless to say, it has been tough, but I look to new Coach Allen and the 2022 draft to turn things around a rebuild his image.  I for one am excited as NO resigned Winston for another two years, as he knows the system, the locker room, and the coach, and he was proving his worth at 5-2 when he got hurt.  The Saints and the Eagles had a monster pick trade to upgrade us to TWO 1^st round picks. With that said, I’m going to outline a Saints mock draft in April! Let’s begin.

Round One-Pick 16- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss

If anyone knows me and reads my articles, they know I love the Saints and Ole Miss, so I might be biased here, but he fits well!  At 6’1” and 205lbs, he is not the tallest, but neither was Brees.  The difference is Corral can run and run he does.  He calls plays at the line of scrimmage confidently and when he scrambles, his throws are not as accurate, but they still deliver. His lightning-fast release and pinpoint throws to receivers down the stretch extend the plays and allows wide outs to get yards after the catch.  He also is a leader on and off the field, and the Saints could use more of that in the coming rebuilding seasons.  I would like to see him sit one season and start next year, to bulk up some and adapt to NFL hits, pressure, and play style.  Corral finished his 2021 season with 3,343 passing yards, 614 rushing, and 31 touchdowns.  His arm strength alone makes him a first rounder, but what really makes him special is his mobility, mindset, perseverance, and leadership.  After the Eagles and the Saints trade, I still feel like they are moving up to draft a QB as there are numerous needy teams and not too many caliber QBs in this draft.  Having two 1^st round picks means QB and WR, no doubt!

Round One-Pick 19 Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

Why not give Michael Thomas a complement in the form of one Ohio State wideout to another?  Thomas was a former 2^nd round pick out of Ohio State, and I project Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) going before his teammate, which leaves the door open for Olave to become a Saint!  At 6’0”, and 197lbs, he isn’t the biggest WR in the draft, but he makes up for that in speed, route-running versatility, and ability to burn defenders for yards after the catch.  He could be Winston’s shifty player while Thomas is the #1.  As Winston looked to Callaway last year in the back of the endzone, it would be Olave now open deep, with sticky hand and vertical leap to destroy the red zone.  I love this potential, and now with two 1^st round picks, this all makes sense allowing the Saints to compete out of the gates under Coach Allen.  I do hope he bulks up some to be more physical in the NFL. **If he is already off the boards, this pick must be a WR.  We cannot pass up talent this early. **

Round Two-Pick 49 Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State

Let’s address the elephant in the room”¦running back, and more importantly the legal troubles of our star Kamara.  The trial has been postponed till late April, but felony charges aren’t something to joke about.  That being said, Kamara is 26 and though I feel he still has a few years left, we need more than Ingram and Jones backing him up in case.  If we are lucky enough to snag top prospect Walker here, I am all for it!  He was second in the FBS last season with 1,636 rushing yards and was a powerful, consistent back.  Walker is a quick cut machine that makes defenders miss.  He reminds me so much of Kamara how he runs with purpose and pushes forward with attitude.  Walker is not the most decorated receiving back in the draft, but he is talented and that could be utilized learning with Kamara and becoming a two-headed monster behind our line of scrimmage.  If Kamara has to sit a few games, Ingram and Walker would fill in nicely as well.  This is definitely a wish-list type of pick.  The Saints might wait a round or two for RB, but they need to capitalize on youth now especially with the unknown of Kamara. 

Round Three-Pick 98 Max Mitchell, OT LA-Lafayette

I would love for Coach Allen and the Saints front office to stay local and take a shot on this 6’6”, 299lbs tackle originally from Monroe, Louisiana. Starting as a sophomore after seeing some action as a freshman, he took 2701 collegiate snaps.  He is agile, quick off the line, and moves seamlessly both forwards, backward, and laterally.  One of his weaknesses is his bulk, he needs to add more muscle to be able to defend the pocket and not let it collapse, though he is great at reading defenders.  His senior year, he allowed only three sacks and total career, five.  That is a staggering low number, which just shows his consistency, dedication, and determination.  Watch some Ragin Cajun game tape, he is always present, rarely on his back, and a force to see on the line.   With the recent resigning to 1 year of OT Ethan Greenidge, the Saints still need OL depth and help with protecting the offensive playmakers, and Mitchell fills all of that. 

Round Three-Pick 101-Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati

With the free agency release of S Marcus Williams and recent signing of Daniel Sorenson, we still need young, eager safety depth.  This is where new Coach Allen gets to put him stamp on his defense.  Cook is 6’1”, 208lbs. and is strong, solid, and quick bursting into plays.  He is versatile and a real student of the game, which I think Coach Allen will love to mold further.  He watches the QB and tracks the ball all over the field.  His last season with the Bearcats, he recorded 96 tackles, two interceptions, and nine deflections, which earned him 1^st year All-Acc selection.  Cook is a little too “upright” when making open field tackles and needs to be more centered and drive receivers down for zero yards after the catch.  He will be a great addition to our defense who can learn from Sorenson and fill in as needed moving into a starting role next season. 

Round Four-Pick 120- Cole Turner, TE Nevada

Despite, Coach Allen reporting that Hill will “shift back into the TE position” he is 31 and has never really played an entire season as a tight end.  He takes multiple hits and runs with such force, that eventually his body will break down.  We saw it last season, as he battled injuries.  So, are you telling me he is now our starting TE?  Wrong, the Saints need young talent that can be further developed.  That is where Wolfpack Senior Turner comes into play.  This kid is big at 6’6” and 246lbs.  Athletic and flexible for his larger frame, he contests the ball in the air and comes down with it bulldozing his way into the endzone.  He started his collegiate career as a WR before moving into tight end, so transitioning him into the WR3/TE role would be a perfect fit for the Saints.  Turner is a later round sleeper pick who is rough around the edges, but has great potential.  Coach Allen’s specialty is defense, so he can help better his run blocking and bulk up in his lower body to become even better off the line.  Turner has the ability to become a starting in the NFL given the right fit, and with Trautman as his only young competition on the team, I like his outlook!

These might be far-fetched picks for some, but for the first time in a long time, the Saints need to focus on rebuilding the offense! Last year I went 2/4 in picks. I am shooting for more this year so stay tuned and good luck to all your favorite teams in the draft. Only 29 more days, but hey who’s counting. WHO DAT!!!! Follow me at @luvtractor3 all season long.

The post New Orleans Saints mock draft 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall in the 2020 NFL draft. Tagovailoa has taken positive strides in the past two years, but he hasn’t lived up to his draft expectations. Here is a look at how productive the Dolphins QB has been in his career thus far:

*stats are according to Pro Football Reference

• 13-8 career record
• 27 passing touchdowns and 15 career interceptions
• 66.2 completion percentage

It’s clear that Tua has been a productive QB, but he hasn’t proved to be an elite QB in the yards or touchdown category. The Dolphins have been rumored to trade Tua and potentially trade for a talented QB over the past year.

The biggest reason why the Dolphins could opt to not trade Tua is the recent hire of the former 49ers offensive genius Mike McDaniels. The speculation is that McDaniels has more trust in Tua than Brian Flores and that McDaniels will help Tua succeed in the near future.

I still don’t believe Tua is completely safe as the Dolphins future starting QB. McDaniels may have been optimistic towards Tua and the Dolphins fan base on Day 1, but I wouldn’t expect McDaniels to tell the world that he doesn’t have faith in Tua, who was one of the most popular players in the league when drafted. I also don’t think McDaniels has completely bought it on Tua and I expect the Dolphins new head coach to scan his options at QB, especially when the Dolphins play in the frigid AFC East. McDaniels also knows that he needs to bring the Dolphins back to the playoffs soon. They won seven games in a row last season, but they still didn’t make it to the playoffs.

The Dolphins have the most cap space in the league and they could decide to add more pieces around Tua and push for a playoff berth in 2022. I still think that McDaniels could potentially ship out Tua for a more talented QB, especially when Tua isn’t well-established and many elite, disgruntled QBs are available. With that said who could trade for Tua and who could McDaniels seek out in return? Well, here are a few potential teams that could make a trade involving Tua.

Dolphins trade Tua, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 second-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Kyler Murray

If Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals believe it’s imminent that Murray won’t be a Cardinal, they should get a slightly worse version of Murray and more draft picks in return. McDaniels is all too familiar with the magic of Murray in the NFC West. He would be the best combination of talent and age on the QB market this offseason.

Tua holds a similar skillet as Murray, as they both can make big throws and make plays with their legs. Murray is obviously a lot quicker than Tua, but the Dolphins younger QB can run a very similar playbook that Murray ran in 2021. The talent of DeAndre Hopkins and potentially Zach Ertz (2022 free agent) could help Tua progress in Arizona.

Dolphins trade Tua and their 2022 first-round pick to the Packers for Aaron Rodgers

The Miami Dolphins could seek to add a few free agents with their cap space and then acquire the mighty Aaron Rodgers. McDaniels could really come out guns blazing with A-Rod in 2022. McDaniels may not be the former OC for Rodgers (also known as Nathaniel Hackett), but he could create a more attractive picture than the Broncos to lure Rodgers.

Matt LaFleur could trade away Rodgers for the potential heir to Rodgers in Tagovailoa. LaFleur has already stated that Jordan Love isn’t ready to have the keys to the offense. Love has been mediocre in pre-season and he only led the Packers to score 7 points against the Kansas City Chiefs in his lone start in 2021. If LaFleur feels like a Rodgers trade is imminent in 2022 or that they feel like he can’t bring them to win a Super Bowl next season, he could pick up their future QB in Tua. If LaFleur doesn’t have the right replacement for Rodgers when he hangs up the cleats, the Packers could struggle for many years.

Dolphins trade Tua to the Browns for Baker Mayfield and a 2022 third-round pick

The Cleveland Browns could likely move Baker Mayfield and I expect that Kevin Stefanski wants a prominent QB in return. He has familiarly with the Vikings signal-caller Kirk Cousins, but I also imagine that the Browns could be a wild-card team to land Tua. The Dolphins QB can be a much better game manager than Mayfield for Stefanski, while McDaniels can dream up deep passing concepts with Jaylen Waddle and Mayfield. I also believe Baker has a higher ceiling than Tua in the passing game strictly.

If the Dolphins trade away Tua for Mayfield, they could receive more compensation from the Browns, too. The Dolphins could draft a WR or RB in the third round (or trade up into the second round) with another potential third-round pick.

The Dolphins might be an oddball team to inquire about a Baker trade in Stefanski’s mind, but it could be the right deal. He should be persistent about getting a QB that’s younger and more conservative with the football, such as Tua.

Dolphins trade Tua to the Saints for a 2022 first-round pick

If McDaniels is in love with selecting one of the QBs in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, he should really seek a trade with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are a very popular landing spot for Matt Corral. The Dolphins could send the Saints Tua, while the Dolphins grab the Saints first-round spot (18th) and pick Corral in the first round.

The Dolphins could pick up Corral and still pick an offensive lineman or WR at 29th overall in the draft. Meanwhile, the Saints could have a young QB that they can develop in the non-Sean Payton era. The Saints still have an elite defense, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara. They may like the floor of Tua and his youth to count on him to bring them to the playoffs in the near future.

Dolphins trade Tua to the Steelers for a 2022 first-round pick

The Steelers need an upgrade at QB over Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins in 2022. Mike Tomlin has already stated that he wants an “athletic” QB to join his squad. The former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, who has been one of the top backup QBs over the past two years, would be an ideal free-agent target for Tomlin. Although, if he falls in love with Tua, he could find a way to pick up the Dolphins athletic QB. Tua could potentially be the long-term QB for the Big Ben-less Steelers.

The Steelers have a slightly worse draft pick than the Saints (20th overall), but the Dolphins could be enticed about sending Tua to the QB-needy Steelers for multiple first-round choices. If the Dolphins don’t want to select a QB with two potential first-round choices, they could use the two first-round picks to attempt to trade for a QB like Kyler Murray or Russell Wilson.

The post Potential trade destinations for Tua Tagovailoa appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Washington Commanders created special memories in 2021 with enormous wins over the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately, they didn’t impressive in the 2021 season as a whole, as they claimed a 7-10 record.

Ron Rivera chose quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead the squad, but their bearded QB suffered an injury in Week 1 and never returned to start in 2021. The unsung QB Taylor Heinicke replaced Fitzmagic and tried his best to never lose the keys as the starting QB moving forward. The Commanders were competitive under the undrafted QB, but he clearly didn’t prove to be a talented signal-caller.

The Washington QB threw a horrific amount of interceptions (15) and he only registered 20 passing touchdowns. Ron Rivera will surely look to bring in a QB that holds more potential than Heinicke and will likely earn the starting gig over Heinicke in the near future. So, which QBs will join the Commanders in 2022? Well, here are a few fiery field generals that would fit well.

Matt Corral

The Washington Commanders have a nice position in the 2022 draft (11th overall) to pick the Ole Miss QB. Matt Corral is clearly a favorite among NFL analysts to land with Washington. Sports Illustrated experts Eric Crocker and Ryan Tracy predict Washington to land Corral. Chad Reuter, who is an analyst for NFL.com, projects Corral to be selected by Washington, as well.

Corral unleashed a career-high 3,349 passing yards in 2021 and he was also a 2021 Conerly Trophy Winner. The Ole Miss QB can also clock a 4.65 40 yard dash time, so he’s a special all-around athlete. Corral undeniably holds the most potential out of the QBs available in free agency and the draft this offseason.

Marcus Mariota

The former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota has been arguably the best backup QB in the NFL over the past two seasons. Mariota is finally ready to prove his worth as an NFL starter again. Mariota is still young (27 years old) in QB years and he has a quality resume. He led the Titans to a winning record in three of his first four seasons in the NFL.

Mariota could be intrigued by joining Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson. If Heinicke can unveil 7 wins, Mariota and an ascending Chase Young-led defense can certainly unleash a winning season in 2022.

Trade for Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill might appear as a parody to a lot of fans, but he has a 6-2 record over the past two seasons in the league. He also is a more athletic and productive version of Taylor Heinicke.

The Saints also don’t have the Taysom Hill whisperer in Sean Payton anymore. I foresee the Saints riding with Jameis Winston, a rookie QB, or Russell Wilson moving forward. The Saints could opt to send the dual-threat QB to Washington. If Washington doesn’t reel in Mariota, Mitchell Trubisky, or Jameis Winston, it may be wise to acquire Hill to duke it out with a potential rookie QB.

The post Top QB options for the Washington Commanders appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 offseason is officially underway. The last chapter for the legendary two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh has been closed. All signs point towards Big Ben retiring and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has even stated that he’s acting with the assumption that his long-time starting QB is retired. Furthermore, Tomlin expressed that he was “excited” about the challenge of finding the Steelers next franchise QB.

The most likely road for the Steelers starting QB does appear to lie with the competition between the QBs in the building. The young Mason Rudolph, who is under contract for another season, will have an opportunity to push for the starting gig. Former Ohio State Buckeye Dwayne Haskins and “current draft bust” is bound to be a restricted free agent in 2022, but the 24-year-old holds an opportunity to compete for the starting QB position. It basically appears obvious that both QBs will be in the facility chomping at the bit when training camp arrives, as Tomlin stated that the two QBs have earned an opportunity to fight for the starting QB from a professional and work standpoint.

The Steelers could also look at QB prospects like Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton in free agency. It would also make a lot of sense if the Steelers pursued QBs like Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett in the 2022 draft, too.

As it stands, the two young bucks in Rudolph and Haskins are laser-focused on receiving the keys to the Steelers hot-rod offense. The most likely starting Steelers QB in training camp appears to be Mason Rudolph, but Dwayne Haskins surely won’t go down without a fight. With that said, which QB is more destined to be the next franchise QB? Well, let’s go under the microscope and unveil the tale of each QB.

Mason Rudolph

The former Oklahoma State University QB finished seventh in Heisman voting as a senior in college. It was quite an impressive senior season for Rudolph, as he notched 28 passing touchdowns to 4 interceptions. He also won the “Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award” in his last playing season. Rudolph of course earned himself an early phone call in the 2019 NFL draft, as he was picked in the 3rd round to be the potential heir to Big Ben. The QBs selected ahead of Rudolph in the 2018 draft were Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson (all in the first round).

As of the end of the 2021 regular season, The 2018 third-round pick Mason Rudolph has spent three seasons as the backup QB to Big Ben. It didn’t take long for the former Oklahoma State QB to see the field because he played in 10 games in 2019 (rookie year). In those 10 starts, Rudolph unveiled 1,765 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and an 82.0 passer rating. Rudolph wasn’t a bobblehead QB or pedestrian for the performance like many rookie QBs. Nonetheless, the Steelers will demand more excellence than his overall production from his outing in 2019. Big Ben has never had a QB rating from a 15+ game season below 82.

It is worth noting that rookie QBs still have ousted similar regular season QB ratings as Rudolph’s 2019 rookie outing. Trevor Lawrence, who was taken first overall in the 2021 NFL draft, registered a 71.9 passer rating from the 2021-2022 season. The New York Jets rook QB in 2021 Zach Wilson showcased a 69.7 passer rating in his rookie campaign. Not only was Rudolph’s slightly below-average production not uncommon for rookie signal-callers, but Rudolph should be leaps ahead of his 2019 version. He has been able to sit behind Big Ben and grow for numerous seasons since 2019.

Rudolph may not have been putting up “Madden-like” numbers or unleashing highlight throws to the corner of the end zone, but he showed a real knack for winning. Rudolph put together a three-game winning streak in 2019. His winning streak would of course end in the same game where he had the most unusual moment of his career.

Towards the final moments of the Cleveland Browns 21-7 victory over Pittsburgh, 2021 DPOY candidate Myles Garrett and Rudolph were involved in a serious fight. Garrett snatched Rudolph’s helmet off his head and he tried to hit Rudolph’s head with his helmet. Rudolph was trying to drag down the Browns elite defensive end in the physical exchange. Garrett accused Rudolph of using a racial slur at him, but the players and league couldn’t find any evidence of Rudolph expressing a racial slur at him. Garrett was suspended indefinitely and fined $45,623, while Rudolph wasn’t suspended and given a hefty fine of $50,000.

The Pittsburgh center and tough guy Maurkice Pouncey was suspended for two games and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for being involved in the infamous brawl.

Rudolph started two preseason games (played three games) in 2021 and unleashed a 99.2 passer rating from the preseason. Rudolph flashed his excellent improvement in reading the field and taking care of the football. He displayed a 75% completion percentage and he didn’t throw any interceptions.

The veteran backup would go on to make two appearances this season (one start), as well. He threw for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In his lone start, Rudolph led his team to a tie with the three-win Detroit Lions squad. The young QB told the press after the game that his performance wasn’t “good enough”. He did throw a real head-scratching interception to the Lions, but he did make some magic happen with 242 passing yards and a touchdown.

Mason Rudolph may not be the next Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but he can show that he’s made significant growth as a starting QB in training camp. He is also the favorite to be the next Steelers starting QB due to his combination of talent and “experience” with the Steelers offense. The NFL world witnessed Jameis Winston become a more talented, sharper QB after sitting behind Drew Brees in New Orleans. I wouldn’t say it’s wishful thinking to believe that Rudolph could have a similar outcome as a fourth-year player in 2021 that Winston had in 2021 as the Saints new starting QB.

Dwayne Haskins

Dwayne Haskins was a rockstar in college and that was evident with his 14-1 record in college. In 2018, Haskins placed third in Heisman voting. Kyler Murray would go on to win the award and get selected by the Arizona Cardinals first overall in 2019.

The former Ohio State Buckeye has been on a roller coaster ride in the professional football league thus far. The former 15th overall pick in 2019 flamed out of Washington after being given countless games as the starting QB. He had a rough rookie year, which is arguably expected from first year QBs in a lackluster system. Still, Haskins showed little growth and brought no spark to the Washington offense in year two. Matter, in fact, Haskins clearly regressed in year two as the starter. The former OSU QB threw 5 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and unveiled a mere 6 yards per completion. Haskins was also ripped by former Washington great Joe Theisman and many media outlets for taking selfies with the crowd during the final seconds of a game. Haskins was supposed to be on the field taking a knee in victory formation, but he was taking in the glory too soon with the fans. Case Keenum had to run onto the field to close out the big win.

Haskins was axed by the no-nonsense coach Ron Rivera and left stranded without a home post-2020 season. The QB that was widely seen as a bust needed to find a program that could help utilize his physical gifts and a location that could help churn out a more robust work ethic. Thankfully, he founded the perfect team and mentor with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin. The Steelers signed Haskins to a one-year, $850,000 deal in the 2021 offseason.

Haskins showed an impressive 86.8 QBR in the 2021 preseason while having 2 passing touchdowns and one interception. Unfortunately, he did have more hiccups in the 2021 season. Haskins has struggled with the repetitive professionalism required of being a professional athlete. In the Week 10 pre-game, Haskins was “checking his phone” and “throwing lousy passes”. It was clearly frustrating for the Steelers organization and fanbase to witness Haskins Haskins’s attitude in Week 10 after they gave him a second opportunity. Nonetheless, it was one notable error made by the hopeful QB in the 18 week season.

Haskins still flashed his excellence in practice sessions throughout the 2021 season. He did nicely catch the attention of the Steelers coaching staff and Tomlin from his overall effort in the 2021-2022 season. Tomlin clearly feels that Haskins has a real shot to be the next starting QB and that he’s put the work in 2021 to show them he’s grown as a football player and individual. It seems concrete that Dwayne Haskins will reunite with the Steelers on another “one-year prove-it deal”.

Verdict

Tomlin is a classy coach and he does believe that Haskins or Rudolph should be given the opportunity for the starting nod. With that said, it would be logical for the Steelers to add a QB in free agency or the draft. I don’t foresee the Steelers breaking the bank for a free agent QB, but they may add a veteran QB like Marcus Mariota or Andy Dalton to compete for the starting gig. Tomlin did say he wants a “mobile” QB to start moving forward. Mariota was arguably a Top 3 backup QB in 2021 for the Las Vegas Raiders and he’s only 28 years old.

Mariota had three straight winning seasons for the Tennessee Titans in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The former Oregon Duck was exceptional in his second season where he threw 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The once Titans QB lost his gig to the talented Ryan Tannehill, who is now yielding a Titans squad that has the first seed in the AFC. Mariota wasn’t completely thrown in the doghouse for poor performance. He lost the keys to the offense to a quality AFC quarterback. Mariota may also be a smart addition if the Steelers want to rotate him in for certain packages that include him running with the football. Mariota could help lessen the load with a younger QB by getting involved as a rotational QB.

If the Steelers have an opportunity to draft a Matt Corral from Ole Miss in round one, they should strike and groom him to be the future starting QB. If Corral isn’t a future Steeler, I’d be convinced that Rudolph is a better option than a Day 2 or Day 3 rookie QB in 2021. It isn’t clear by any means which QB will join the Steelers QB room, but Mariota, Dalton, or Corral would be smart 2021 starting options and profiles that could push Rudolph for the keys to the Ferrari.

I’d personally like to see Mariota added to the Steelers. He would be a great value pickup and he can be the “mobile” QB Tomlin desires. The Steelers also have the firepower and weapons to elevate Mariota’s passing game. If Rudolph does show enough ability and potential to be a “quality” starting QB, the Steelers can get creative and incorporate Mariota in a similar way that the Saints use Taysom Hill at QB. Mitchell Trubisky could be a sleeper option, as he displays a pleasant combination of athletic ability, arm talent, and age.

I’d love to see the Steelers select Matt Corral or make a trade up in the first round for Corral. The Ole Miss stud doesn’t only exhibit amazing accuracy, but he’s been timed at a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash. He has a modest, thick frame, as well. He isn’t 6’6 or even 6’4, but he does have a similar frame as Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers (6’2, 205).

I don’t expect a team like the New Orleans Saints or Houston Texans to pick Corral. I feel confident that Sean Payton will want Russell Wilson or the proven Jameis Winston to capitalize off the talent they still have on the roster. The Steelers should be very pleased if they could have Mariota, Corral, Rudolph, and potentially Haskins in the QB room. The Steelers aren’t paying a fortune for Rudolph (contract expires in 2023) and Mariota wouldn’t demand money like Jameis Winston, so they could absolutely afford to have Mariota and Corral added to the roster.

The comparisons between the two current Steelers QBs are still fascinating in themselves. Haskins has mega arm talent, but Rudolph isn’t short on arm strength himself. The difference is that Rudolph can move the football consistently down the field and take care of the football better than the former Washington QB. Haskins has had notorious low YPC and he’s struggled with completing check-down passes to move the chain. Haskins will have to make special plays and take care of the football very well if he wants a chance to win the starting role. A positive note for Haskins is that he will have the toys (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool) to do so. We saw Winston light up the Jacksonville Jaguars defense with Marquez Callaway in the 2021 preseason and that was a big reason why he won the Saints QB competition against Taysom Hill. Haskins will have to be perfect throwing the ball down the field, make very few mistakes, and be consistent with his attitude if he wants to be the face of the franchise. If Haskins doesn’t win the competition but is able to show growth, he should still be positive about taking positive strides in his somewhat resurrected, young career.

All in all, I believe Rudolph has churned out improvements in his game well and he’s more mature than Haskins at this stage. Rudolph is clearly the Day 1 starter right now and he would be leading the team out of the tunnel if the season started today. I’d also be shocked if Rudolph isn’t the initial starting QB in training camp, even if a free agent QB like Mariota or first-round pick in Corral is added.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Pittsburgh Steelers came out guns blazing against the mighty Kansas City Chiefs in the wildcard playoff game. Unfortunately, the T.J. Watt-led defense eventually broke against the “Zeus from Real Steel” like Chiefs offense. The Steelers defense surrendered 21 points in the second quarter, 14 points in the third quarter, and another touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Despite the disappointing postseason loss, it’s safe to say the Steelers outperformed their expectations in the 2021-2022 season. It was another winning season in the books for Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. As widely enunciated, Tomlin and Big Ben have never suffered a losing season in their careers together. 

So, the offseason is officially underway for the Steelers. The grand focus is unequivocally the 2022 draft. With that said, which direction could the Steelers go in the draft? Well, let’s see what the Big Ben-less Steelers do in this 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers 7 round mock draft. 

Round 1, Matt Corral – QB – Ole Miss 

The Steelers have the firepower to “win now” in the AFC. It’s even worth noting that the Steelers still made the playoffs in a season where Big Ben threw his fewest touchdowns in a 16 game season (22) since his full slate of games in 2008.

Corral can step in and likely be a sure-fire upgrade over Big Ben’s previous production in two seasons at worst. The former Ole Miss QB should have JuJu Smith Schuster, who said he wants to be a Steeler for life. In addition to JuJu, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson are talented wideouts that are 25 years and younger. It would make sense if Claypool stays over Johnson long-term with that said. Still, Corral would truly have potent weapons to grow with and he could be able to put up similar numbers as Chargers QB Justin Herbert in the Steelers offensive attack. 

The Steelers have stated that Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will compete for the starting gig, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Tomlin got more heart-eyed for Corral as the 2022 draft approaches. Tomlin did state that he wants a “mobile” QB to be the next face of the franchise. It would make a heap of sense if Corral is that guy as he fits the mold. Corral can clock a 4.65 40 time and he has a better arm to match it. Whether or not Corral is added to the mix, I’d be happy to see Marcus Mariota on a short contract in Pittsburgh, as well.

The Houston Texans failed to capitalize off J.J. Watt’s Hall of Fame talent in Texas. Mike Tomlin can’t allow the Steelers to let the 27-year-old T.J. Watt’s game-wrecking ability continue to go to waste in the AFC playoffs. 

I don’t believe the Saints or Vikings will strike with selecting Corrall. Although, the Steelers should trade up several spots to safely land Corral. 

Round 2, Josh Jobe – CB – Alabama 

The stud CB from Alabama, Josh Jobe, would be the perfect replacement for the veteran Joe Haden. The long-time “Cleveland Brown” Joe Haden has already sent a farewell to the Steelers nation.

The former starter across from Patrick Surtain and preseason All American unfortunately suffered a playoff injury that forced an early exit, but he will be more than ready for training camp in 2022. Jobe holds a very similar skillet to Haden, as well. They are both physical, big man-to-man corners. Jobe can nicely help the young star Minkah Fitzpatrick complement Watt and Heyward on the defense. Jobe recorded two picks, a sack, and a lot of quiet matchups in 2021.

Jobe is projected to be a late second to early third-round pick. He would fall in the perfect range to be the Steelers second-round pick. The selection of Jobe could make fans forget about “Artie Burns” sooner than thought.

Round 3, Zion Nelson – OT – Miami 

It would be a nice vision for Tomlin to eye Matt Corral and Zion Nelson in the 2022 draft. Nelson wasn’t just one of the top offensive linemen in 2020, but his potential is also through the roof. The Steelers Achilles heel starts at LT and it’s not an understatement to say they need help. The rook Dan Moore Jr. stepped in to play last season, but he didn’t fill in well. He was picked on against Myles Garrett early on in the season as he routinely allowed Garrett to pressure and sack the QB. 

If the Steelers want a shiny new QB in Corral, Russell Wilson, or even Mason Rudolph, they will need to do a better job protecting the mysterious QB than Big Ben in recent memory.

Zion Nelson should be a 2022 third-round pick and he would fit quite well on the blindside for potentially Matt Corrall. The Steelers may need to get creative again by trading up for Nelson, but it would be worth it as he really can be the reliable LT for the next decade. If the Steelers need to cough up a couple of draft picks, the 2022 draft may be the best draft to do it out of any draft in the next few years. If they have a nice picture of their future WR situation, it would be wise to trade the likes of Diontae Johnson for an early 2022 pick. 

Round 4, Justyn Ross – WR – Clemson 

The Clemson WR Justyn Ross is a gifted profile, but he’s another profile that’s been haunted by the injury bug. He’s projected to be a second – fourth-round player in the past year, but his stock has continued to dip. He should be a late third-round to late fourth-round pick at this day in age. He’s been projected to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round by Ebony bird.  I’d love to see him be a member of the AFC North, but with the Steelers. 

Ross wasn’t the same caliber of WR as former Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, but he was once a 1,000 yard WR in 2018 and a wideout that hauled in 17 touchdowns across 2018 and 2019. Although, he missed three games in 2021 and he underwent foot surgery. It seems unlikely that teams see enough of the reward in the risk to make him a third or second-round pick in 2022. 

It’s very unlikely that the Steelers retain each WR in the big three they showcase (JuJu, Diontae, Chase). As mentioned, the Steelers could deal Diontae in 2022 rather than let him walk in 2023. Ross would an ideal replacement for Dionate, the perfect WR steal, and a 6’4 big body WR addition to their offense. If Rudolph is the QB, he can have the arm talent to hit Ross in any section of the field.

Round 5, Trade for Saints C/G Cesar Ruiz 

The Steelers need more juice on the interior of their offensive line. It would be wise to trade for a young, somewhat modest, interior offensive lineman that can start at guard or center. It’s been made very clear that LG Kendrick Green should walk the plank for his 2021 performance. The Steelers might just be able to find a diamond in the rough from the “always busy” Mickey Loomis and New Orleans Saints.

The Saints could look to find an upgrade at center, especially if they obtain Russell Wilson. Ruiz was a 2020 first-round pick, but he hasn’t quite taken off. He would still be an upgrade over Green at guard and potentially even start at the center long term. The former Michigan Wolverine can be a sturdy run blocker at least. That would help second-year RB Najee Harris elevate his performance. 

Round 6, Tanner McKee – QB – Stanford

The Stanford signal-caller is a big arm, yet sharp QB. He’s the perfect value pick for the Steelers in the fifth round – assuming he doesn’t stay for another CFB season. McKee would be a quality, competitive QB2. 

The 6’6 QB that looks like either of the “Winklevoss twins” was an All Pac 12 honorable mention in 2021. He showed his all-around talent by showcasing a 138.7 passer rating.

Here are a few interesting facts about McKee, as well. He is actually 31 years old, he spent two years on a Church mission when he was 21 years old, and he beat cancer at 16 years old! McKee could be the Steelers backup QB in 2022 and the wise Steelers QB coach in 2023!

Round 7, Sevyn Banks – CB – Ohio State

The reinforcements in the secondary have arrived. Sevyn Banks is another physical, “beat you at the line of scrimmage” CB from Ohio State. Banks was once rumored to go first overall in the 2022 draft. Well, it’s clear that he fell off a cliff in 2021 and he will be hoping that any team will take a chance on him in the 2022 draft. I’d expect the right culture with a need at CB could take a chance on him. Would it be a surprise if Tomlin, who took a chance on Dwayne Haskins, decided to take a chance on Banks? It would make too much sense for the Steelers to pick Banks at this point in the draft.

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