There’s no group better or more thorough at NFL analytics than Football Outsiders. So when they speak, people listen. Their latest project for ESPN was to use analytics to predict the boldest move for every NFL team.
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their bold move involves a huge trade-up in the 2021 NFL draft. The move would take the Steelers from the 24th overall pick to the 10th overall for North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.
Here’s what they had to say about the move:
Lance is highly unlikely to still be there at No. 24, when Pittsburgh is slated to pick in the first round, so they will have to invest some top picks to get in position to take the fleet and powerful, if inexperienced, North Dakota State quarterback. Next year’s first-rounder and a third from either this year or next is likely the minimum cost, depending on how high up they need to go; if there is a quarterback run and Pittsburgh needs to jump into the top 10 to get him, another premium selection will be required.
A move like this would be bold but not unprecedented for the Steelers. In 2019, Pittsburgh moved up from the No. 20 overall pick to the 10th pick to select linebacker Devin Bush. With the quarterback position up in the air past 2021, it would be hard to argue against this move if it can bring an athlete like Lance to the Steelers.
