Justin Fields is now expected to slip in the NFL Draft. But there’s no way he could fall all the way to the Steelers, right Charley Casserly?
In his latest mock draft, the former NFL GM forecasts the Steelers will select Fields at No. 24, which just seems outrageous. As of Jan. 2, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Fields would be the second quarterback drafted behind Trevor Lawrence.
How could he drop more than 20 spots without playing an actual game?
The Steelers appea to be interested in Fields. Mike Tomlin attended his first Pro Day, and subsequently bonded with the young passer. One of their warm exchanges was shared on Ohio State Football’s official Twitter account.
“You know who we came to see,” Tomlin says as Fields walks past the group of coaches.
In recent weeks, there have be an array of curious reports attempting to explain Fields’ fall, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky professing NFL teams are concerned about his work ethic. That ugly narrative propelled Ohio State head coach Ryan Day to defend Fields, and Orlovsky issued an apology.
Six NFL teams attended Fields’ second Pro Day — the Jets, 49ers, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos and Patriots — all of whom pick ahead of the Steelers. Even if Fields falls out of the top three, it’s difficult to believe he would make it all the way to the back half of the first round — ala Aaron Rodgers.
With Ben Roethlisberger returning for another season and an array of holes, the Steelers should be focused on positions besides quarterback in the draft. Most urgently, they need some guys who can protect Roethlisberger up front, since Alejandro Villanueva and Maurkice Pouncey are no longer with the team. Another running back wouldn’t hurt, either.
Despite that, numerous NFL Insiders continue to pontificate about Pittsburgh’s need to target a quarterback, though Casserly is the only one suggesting Fields will fall in their laps. That would be incredibly good fortune.
But it’s just not going to happen. In the words of Bill Belichick, who’s been more wrong than Charley Casserly, anyway?
