3 Potential Successors for Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers Could Take in the 2020 NFL Draft

Jason Schandl
Steelers NFL Draft targets at QB to replace Ben Roethlisberger could include Jacob Eason.
Steelers NFL Draft targets at QB to replace Ben Roethlisberger could include Jacob Eason. / Justin Berl/Getty Images
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Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and set to return for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL season. At 38 years old and sporting a long list of past injuries, however, he's not going to be around forever. Pittsburgh needs to start thinking about their long-term plans to replace him, and neither Mason Rudolph nor Devlin Hodges looked like the answer in 2019.

Instead, the Steelers could be well served to turn to the 2020 NFL Draft to address the position. It's not just top-end QBs that stand out in this year's class — there are plenty of mid and late-round prospects that could have huge upside.

With that in mind, here are three quarterbacks the Steelers could draft to serve as Roethlisberger's successor.

1. Jacob Eason, Washington

Jacob Eason at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
Jacob Eason at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Boasting prototypical size at 6-foot-6, Jacob Eason showed big things in his lone season as a starter at Washington. He racked up 3,132 yards and 23 touchdowns with just 8 interceptions in 2019. With plus size and a strong arm, Eason is exactly the kind of high-upside pocket passer that could benefit from a season or two adjusting to the pro game before being thrust into a starting spot.

2. Shea Patterson, Michigan

Shea Patterson during an interview at the combine.
Shea Patterson during an interview at the combine. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Both of Shea Patterson's seasons at Michigan were solid, and he finished with 5,661 yards and 45 touchdowns in two season with the Wolverines. He only rushed for 50 total yards as a senior, but he still boasts plus athleticism as well. Both his 4.71-second 40-yard dash and 116-inch broad jump were great marks for a quarterback.

3. Tyler Huntley, Utah

Tyler Huntley during a 2019 game with Utah.
Tyler Huntley during a 2019 game with Utah. / Tim Warner/Getty Images

One of the most productive passers in the nation last year, Tyler Huntley's draft stock trails way behind his production. He ranked fifth in the NCAA with an average of 10.9 adjusted passing yards per attempt (10.9) in the 2019 season, and he added some nice production with his legs, rushing for 290 yards and 5 touchdowns for Utah. That followed a couple of underwhelming seasons, so there's some risk that Huntley was a bit of a one-year wonder, but that's a risk you can afford to take in the later rounds.


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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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