2022 DRAFT PREDICTION: Steelers Pick QB Willis In The First Round

Photo courtesy of Sportskeeda

Let’s understand, for the last 5 out of 6 years I have gotten each first round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers correct (no 1st round pick in 2020 due to the Minkah Fitzpatrick 2019 trade). So now it’s time to make it a cool 6 out of 7 this year. Having said that..

FIRST ROUND: (20th To 10th Pick) QB MALIK WILLIS (LIBERTY)

It is inevitable. I see the Steelers trading up has been the staple of their draft over recent years. And I really don’t see the 2022 draft being any different. Especially during this Post-Roethlisberger era the organization is going through at this point and time.

Malik Willis just said he likes the Steelers coaching staff @KDKA pic.twitter.com/iRQuh4d1GJ

— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) March 2, 2022

Willis, although only standing at 6′ 1″ has the intangibles that Pittsburgh needs at the quarterback position. Especially going against the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and questionably..Baker Mayfield and their defenses twice a season. And those intangibles are mobility.

If the highlights don’t convince you, NFL Network’s draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah seems to have the same feelings about Malik.

“He’s got a huge arm,” Jeremiah said. “He’s not real tall … but he’s built. He’s a powerfully built guy who can drive the ball. At the Senior Bowl when it was raining and everyone else was struggling, he didn’t have any issues whatsoever. This guy can really power the football. He can make all the throws, he can create and you can use the designed run game with him.”

Like Roethlisberger, Willis is from a small, unknown college. But what stands out to me with Jeremiah’s quote is “he can create and you can use the designed run game with him“

Keep in mind that was Big Ben’s claim to fame early on in his career. Being able to extend plays and get the necessary yards needed..if not more for the first down or the score.

Steelers soon-to-be retired GM, Kevin Colbert said last week that the Steelers would open the season with Mason Rudolph at quarterback if necessary. Dwayne Haskins, a former No. 1 pick, is the other option already on the roster. I however DO NOT see the Mason situation happening..AT ALL!

What I do see is Pittsburgh picking up a veteran free agent quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers or even a Jameis Winston to mentor a rookie quarterback like Malik Willis who has the mobility the Steelers neec to stay competitive in the AFC North..as well as the AFC/NFL in general. #HereWeGo

NO! Mason Rudolph Is Not The Answer For Big Ben

Photo courtesy of Steelers World 1

Come on now! Seriously? Are Pittsburgh Steelers fans and the NFL media still trying to entertain the notion that Mason Rudolph should actually be the next starting quarterback for the “Black & Gold?” Well here..let me correct that ridiculous notion/thought by giving you all one reason why it won’t..should it nor “NEVER” happen.

“BECAUSE MASON RUDOLPH CANNOT EVEN BEAT THE CLEVELAND BROWNS..THAT’S WHY!”

The Infamous HelmetGate Game

Mason was pure trash in that game. 23 for 44 with only 221 yards? Not to mention only 1 touchdown against 4 interceptions. Allowing Baker Mayfield to get the easy win.

Gives Cleveland A Playoff Berth

Although a slightly better game versus the Browns, Rudolph did lead a comeback in the last game of the 2020 season. Only to allow the Browns to earn a ticket into the playoffs for the first time since 2002. UNACCEPTABLE!

I mean let’s face it, Rudolph going into his 4th season with the Steelers just isn’t starting material. What I mean is he is not that good, regardless of what GM Kevin Colbert (soon to be gone) had to say recently.

Photo courtesy of Steelers Depot

“We have confidence that if the season started today, Mason would be our starter,” Colbert said. “We’re excited to see where that can go. … We’re excited to see what is next for Mason.”

“If” the season started today. Thank GOD it doesn’t start today. Because if it did, Pittsburgh would be in a world of hurt. Guess I see why Colbert is on his way out the door, because he is definitely becoming delusional.

Former Steelers CB, Ryan Clark..(someone with questionable comments)..gave a rather spot on commentary regarding Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation. A commentary I definitely agree with.

Photo courtesy of Steelersworld1.com

“If Mason Rudolph is the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering 2022, they are no longer the Pittsburgh Steelers I love or the fans of Pittsburgh love.”

Is he lying though? No. Pittsburgh Steelers President, Art Rooney stated nearly a year ago that Mason Rudolph can be a starter “IN THIS LEAGUE.” Never did he say for the Pittsburgh Steelers. To me, and anyone who knows professional football..he is just another Landry Jones. #HereWeGo

STEELERS WORLD 1: AFC North Quarterback Rankings

Ok, let’s get it in! I am about to share with you my personal AFC North quarterback rankings. And although a lot of fans from opposing teams may disagree, so what..because it is in fact my opinion. Do with it as you will.

1) “BIG” BEN ROETHLISBERGER: PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Now, you may think that I am just being a “HOMER” since I am a lifelong Steelers fan. But the truth of the matter is he is IN FACT the best quarterback in the division, regardless of what Mike Tannenbaum and Colin Cowherd have to say since they are haters and morons.

Let’s start with the obvious, Ben is the only quarterback in this division to go undefeated during his rookie campaign, only to lose to the New England Patriots (Cheatriots) in the playoffs.

Roethlisberger then went on to be the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in his second season. This coming after promising former Steelers running back and Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis the previous season that he would get The Bus an Lombardi Trophy. That alone should seal the deal.

But what makes Big Ben number one on my list is that after going through Tommy John surgery during the 2019 season, he came back the following year to throw for 3803 yards..33 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. Imagine if he played week 16 versus the Cleveland Browns. (Speaking of)

2) BAKER MAYFIELD(Heisman Winner 2017): CLEVELAND BROWNS

Keep in mind that as a Steelers fan, the ranking of Mayfield as the #2 quarterback in the AFC North really makes me want to puke! Mainly because he is a cocky Heisman Trophy winner who has never accomplished anything in the NFL (besides winning a playoff game against my Pittsburgh Steelers). Not to mention Cleveland Browns fans are like Dallas Cowboys fans..only worse.

But this ranking is about facts, and Baker has shown some improvement since being drafted back in the 2018 NFL Draft. The only problem is, he has yet crack that “ELITE” surface, plus his attitude is still a major issue.

Granted, Mayfield may have had his best QBR 95.9 rating last season, he still threw for less yards and less touchdowns than Roethlisberger. Can’t very well place Baker at the top now can we? Hell..in 2019 he threw 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with more yards..yet he is improving.

Another reason Mayfield ranks above the others at #2 is due to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, but one season does not prove a HC in Cleveland..or a?QB.

3) LAMAR JACKSON(Heisman Winner 2016): BALTIMORE RAVENS

Yeah..yeah..how dare me slap the 2019 MVP as the number three(3) quarterback in the AFC North? Well I will tell you why..”LAMAR JACKSON IS MORE OF A RUNNING BACK THAN A QUARTERBACK!” There..I said it

Look, Jackson is quick..elusive and talented, but he is a lesser Kordell Stewart more than anything. Mainly because Stewart had an arm and make the throws Lamar is unable to. It is a fact..prove me wrong. Not to mention, Kordell was quicker and more talented.

Still..this ranking has to do about quarterbacks, something that Jackson still desperately needs to work on. Throwing for 2757 yards, 26 touchdowns (7 less than Ben and tied with Baker) and 9 interceptions.

The problem with this is Lamar ran for 1005 yards on 159 carries, yet he still lost to Ben Roethlisberger twice last season. What other position should he be in other than third? I mean..at least Mayfield luckily won one against Ben (Baker barely beat Mason Rudolph in week 16).

4) JOE BURROW(Heisman Winner 2019): CINCINNATI BENGALS

It is really tough placing Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow at the bottom of the AFC North list. The only reason I am doing so is because he is still “fresh meat”..who still has a lot to prove. As of yet he has shown he is the only QB in the division to not take his team to the playoffs last year.

Let’s face it, throwing for 2688 yards and 13 touchdowns obviously aren’t stats to place anyone at the top. The five(5) interceptions however is the lowest in the division. But less INTs and less TDs do not win GAMEs.

Case in point Pittsburgh Steelers fan or not, Roethlisberger’s numbers were better, won the division, and is the ONLY quarterback in the division to win two Super Bowls and “WAS NOT” a Heisman Trophy Winner makes him #1 in my book. Like I said before..prove me otherwise. #HereWeGo

Tannenbaum Is A Moron..Big Ben Is The Best QB in AFC North

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Well Pittsburgh Steelers fans, ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum is at it again. Hating on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger without a clue of what he is talking about. I mean, the dude did work for two of the worst organizations(Miami Dolphins and New York Jets) but lets stick to the subject at hand.

TANNENBAUM: “Ben Roethlisberger is going to be bad, and I expect him to be benched by the middle of the season. He’s had a great career. It’s over.”

First of all, thank you Deke for putting this video on your YouTube channel. But I would have loved to see/hear what your partner in crime, Arthur Moats would have said on the situation.

The facts is Tannenbaum is in fact an idiot. He is ridiculing Roethlisberger for playing the same “Dink & Dunk” as Tom Brady, but yet Brady is praised for that style of play. As far as calling Big Ben Old? He is going on 39..Brady is 43..so his argument makes no valid point.

Deke also made a tremendous point. LaMar Jackson is not going to surpass his 2019 season. Joe Burrow is an up or down individual, he hasn’t proven himself yet, and Baker Mayfield will be the downfall of the Cleveland Browns. His crappy, cocky attitude will see to that..trust me.

Dan Orlovsky, who understands what it takes to play quarterback in the National Football League hit the nail on the head with his rebuttal to Tannenbaum’s ridiculous statement. Roethlisberger is the Best QB in the AFC North. Going 11-0 with the dink and dunk proved that.

ORLOVSKY: “Big Ben is not the problem with the Steelers offense. The problem with the Steelers offense is that their offensive line stinks, and that they don’t have a schematic identity.”

That has all been corrected in the off-season so far. The offensive line is younger now..stronger now..hungrier now. Drafting Kendrick Green in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft, and adding five time Pro Bowler, Trai Turner vamped the offensive line alone. Plus veterans Zach Banner, Chukwuma Okorafor and Kevin Dotson with notches in their belts makes the line better.

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Long story short..Big Ben finished the 2020/21 season with 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns with on 10 interceptions. With the improved line, and the addition of a “TRUE” running back, Najee Harris..look for those stats to improve. Due to a solid 3 to 4 down RB and a young o-line. Mark my words. #HereWeGo

TANNENBAUM: “Steelers Have The Worst QB In The Division?” 😂

Ok, first I will start with this..”WHO CARES WHAT THE FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF THE MIAMI DOLPHINS THINKS?” Having said that, let’s get down to business.

For those of you who don’t know, former Dolphins GM, Mike Tannenbaum made a ridiculous prediction yet again. Stating that the Pittsburgh Steelers will finish last in the AFC North because they have..”the worst quarterback in the division.” Laughable.

.@RealTannenbaum is picking the Steelers to finish last in their division this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/KDvnrcPnFL

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 9, 2021

I say “again” because this moron made the same prediction last season, saying he would choose Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield over Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. And that Pittsburgh was going to finish last in the division, yet they won the division.

Check the video below with Ryan Clark and Kimberly Martin last August 2020 on ESPN:

Video courtesy of ESPN

“(The Steelers) are going to be last (in the AFC North) because they have the worst QB in that division,” Tannenbaum said. Click to see full article from The Spun.

Yeah? And how did that turn out Tannenbaum? In case you or anyone else forgot, let me remind you all. Because if you see, Roethlisberger finished 8th amongst quarterbacks, one(1) spot above Mayfield, three(3) above Lamar Jackson, Burrow much further down the list.

With that being said, Roethlisberger may be the oldest quarterback in the AFC North..but he is definitely not the worst. I mean..he swept the Cincinnati Bengals, swept the Baltimore Ravens, and split with the Cleveland Browns last season. So how does that make him the worst QB?

MEMO TO TANNENBAUM: STFU! You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Probably why the word “former” appears before GM in your title. #HereWeGo