Most know by now, that the Pittsburgh Steelers select 30th overall in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft. Assuming that Ben Roethlisberger does indeed play in 2017, pick number 30 is much too high to pick a quarterback.

Let’s be real here: unfortunately, Big Ben’s career doesn’t have much time left. I want Roethlisberger to play for five for more seasons, but I think it’s rather obvious that’s pure fantasy. At this point, it appears that Ben has one or two years left in him.

Ideally, that final one to two years will be spent contending for a Super Bowl title. Thus, pick number 30, along with Pittsburgh’s second and third round picks need to be used on players who can help Ben and the Steelers win now.

Pittsburgh was awarded a compensatory (in other words, “bonus”) third round pick, as compensation for who they lost via free agency last season. Suggestions for who should be drafted with this compensatory pick have been all over the map, from injured top cornerback prospects, to possibly quarterbacks.

That, my friends, is where I am going with this: a quarterback. I’m not saying that the compensatory pick should be a quarterback, but it’s looking more and more likely whether you like it or not. Pittsburgh has been fairly active during the pre-draft process dealing with quarterbacks. First round prospect, Patrick Mahomes, has already visited the team, as well has PITT quarterback Nate Peterman.

Polarizing prospect, Davis Webb, has also made a trip to the City of Champions. (Teams are permitted only 30 pre-draft visits, so those visits are important.) The Steelers were also heavily represented at the Miami U pro day, watching quarterback Brad Kaaya (and other prospects).

Tennessee quarterback, Josh Dobbs, has been the most recent QB to visit Pittsburgh, and he is the name I believe fans should start to learn.

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The Pedigree

Dobbs is a dual-threat quarterback but his up and down development at Tennessee has left scouts hungry for more. At once a highly sought after four-star recruit, Dobbs was thought of to be a Heisman contestant at the start of the 2016 season. However, Josh failed to meet expectations, while still putting up somewhat impressive numbers (2,946 yards and 27 passing TDs plus 12 rushing TDs). The senior improved his previous career high by 12 touchdown passes in 2016, indicating the ability to progress over time is there.

As a point of reference, Dak Prescott improved his touchdown mark from 10 to 27 transitioning from his sophomore to junior year, with only two more games played. And like Prescott, even as a freshman, Dobbs saw playing time.

I am not saying Josh Dobbs is “the next Dak Prescott.” I’m using Dak as an example that steady improvement over time as a starting quarterback in the SEC (the best conference in college football) is something to take note of. It means the player (Dobbs) is grasping what the coach is trying to teach, showing the ability to be coached, and retaining information.

The Smarts

I’m not here to just throw stats around though: this kid is smart as a whip. You don’t have to look very far to find out that he was an aerospace engineering major at Tennessee. He’s not just some football player that skated by with easy grades, the man is very intelligent. The Steelers offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, is known to run an intricate system, and being intelligent is basically a requirement of his quarterbacks. That sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how little information some players coming out of school can retain.

The “Big Ben” Trait

One of the first things you learn when studying Josh Dobbs is his ability to keep plays alive. Although, much more athletic than even a young Roethlisberger, Dobbs displays similarities to Big Ben’s game when put under pressure. The Tennessee quarterback doesn’t use just his speed (4.64 forty yard dash) to escape either. Despite his 220-pound frame, Dobbs is able to shake tacklers off and stay in the pocket and make throws. Or, if the pocket has collapsed, he takes off for positive gains more often than not.

Don’t take that eye-catching speed as a sign of a finesse player though. Dobbs runs with an attitude and breaks tackles at a rather high rate.

The Deep Ball

In 2016, Big Ben Roethlisberger led the entire NFL in deep pass completion percentage. Drew Brees (50.6%) and Big Ben (50.7%) were the only two quarterbacks to eclipse 50% on deep passes.

Why does this matter? Well, because Josh Dobbs put up a rather impressive deep ball completion percentage himself in 2016, with 47.7%. Obviously, the windows are smaller and the cornerbacks are better in the NFL, but that 47.7% beats Andy Dalton, Blake Bortles, Derek Carr, and Carson Palmer‘s percentages from the pros in 2016. Clearly, the latter faced stiffer competition, but still, Dobbs’ numbers are nothing to sneeze at.

I would want a prospect who at least has some grasp on how to throw the deep ball. Dobbs was one of the best the NCAA had to offer.

We call that a foundation to build upon. No one wants Josh Dobbs to be the Steelers opening day starter in 2017, but if he gets to sit for a full year (or two) behind Roethlisberger, improvement will come. I’m willing to bet that deep pass is a thing of beauty by the time Josh got his shot.

The Negatives

Josh Dobbs is about 6″3 220 lbs. (soaking wet) To be an ideal starting NFL quarterback, he’s going to need some more meat on his bones. (Which is easy to accomplish, just look at Ben.)

“[He has] below average delivery balance that affects his accuracy and ball placement.”

Meaning, he needs time to work on his footwork.

“Throwing motion causes him to force some throws.”

This I noticed on tape, but again, throwing motion can be improved/tweaked over time and through practice repetition.

“Floats the deep out allowing defenders to close out his passing windows.”

One of the most difficult throws to make, I’m OK with this being the throw he needs most work on. In fact, Roethlisberger throws a superb deep out route, thus being the perfect teacher.

“Decision making not where he needs it to be.”

You’ll be hard pressed to find a mid-round quarterback project who’s decision making is already on point.

Conclusion

My point here is that the positives on picking Josh Dobbs in the mid rounds, far outweigh the negatives. Of course I want the Steelers to pick players who are going to help them win now. Of course I want to see Big Ben ride off into the sunset with another ring. But if you believe that rounds four and on are filled with “can’t miss” prospects who have more value than Dobbs, then this isn’t the post for you.

The chances of finding a starting quarterback in the mid rounds are slim, albeit, but so are the chances of finding any starter!

I’m here to go on record saying that I do believe the Steelers will pick a quarterback in the 2017 draft. When? That I do not know. But if Josh Dobbs is the name read off for the Steelers with that 3rd round compensatory pick, or later, I won’t be mad.

The Steelers may have just found themselves the future.