Steelers trade into top 10 for QB in latest mock draft

The Steelers have a very important decision to make at quarterback this offseason. Will they run it back with Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph? Trade for Bears QB Justin Fields? Sign a veteran in free agency? Or start fresh with a rookie in the 2024 NFL Draft?

CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli believes it will be the latter as he has Pittsburgh trading up to land its next quarterback in his latest mock draft.

The Steelers currently own the No. 20 pick, but will strike a deal with Chicago to move up to pick No. 9, according to Fornelli. With that pick, Pittsburgh would select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

"The Steelers realize Kenny Pickett isn't the answer and don't waste time trying to correct the situation," Fornelli writes. "Arthur Smith is likely to bring a run-heavy offense that relies on play action and tight ends, and that sounds a lot like the offense McCarthy ran at Michigan! McCarthy has a strong arm, diagnoses defenses quickly, and is a good enough athlete to regularly extend drives with his legs."

McCarthy's draft stock has been rising ever since he led the Wolverines to a national championship. He currently ranks as Pro Football Focus' fourth-best quarterback and No. 30 overall prospect on its big board.

However, the 21-year-old could very well be a top-10 pick when it's all said and done. Fornelli clearly believes McCarthy is flirting with that territory now after throwing for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions from 2022-23.

It would be surprising if Pittsburgh uses its first-round pick on a quarterback, nonetheless trades up for one, as the team still seems to be backing Pickett. But owner Art Rooney II did say the team would bring in more competition for Pickett next season. 

"We still feel comfortable with Kenny," Rooney II told reporters. "But we can't discount what Mason did and can't discount the fact that having competition at quarterback will be good for everybody."

Only time will tell what that competition for Pickett ends up looking like, but Fornelli seems to believe it will come in the form of a Steelers 2024 first-round pick.