Thinking of what to write about next was a difficult task. Everyone posts their mock draft, but I feel that should be posted after explaining some reasoning. Then, news breaks that Joe Burrow has hands that are "too small" to be a successful NFL QB. Historically this seems to work out pretty well; any smaller than 9 ¼ inches and chances are you’ll struggle at the next level. After this I found Gil Brandt’s target test result minimums for each position. It got me thinking, how do current Steeler QBs stack up?

Hand Size

Ben Roethlisberger- 9 7/8 (71st percentile) or 9 3/8 depending on the source

Mason Rudolph- 9 1/8 (10th)

Devlin Hodges- 9 1/4 (20th)

Paxton Lynch- 10 1/4 (89th)

J.T. Barrett- 9 7/8 (71st)

Every one of Steeler QBs except Mason Rudolph reach the necessary threshold for hand size, who just barely missed out. Duck Hodges barely passes, but the remaining are well above the minimum. This shows that while there is a correlation, size is no guarantee for hand size. Note: Ben Roethlisberger has two very different measured hand sizes on two different databases.

Ball Velocity

Ben Roethlisberger- N/A

Mason Rudolph- 52 mph (13th percentile)

Devlin Hodges- N/A

Paxton Lynch- 59 mph (90th)

J.T. Barrett- 52 mph (13th)

Neither Ben Roethlisberger, nor Duck, who was not a combine invite, have recorded results, but of the remaining three QBs, only Paxton Lynch reaches the 55 mph threshold. Rudolph and Barrett are well below average as far as pure arm strength goes, both in the 13th percentile of all measured QBs.

40 Yard Dash

Ben Roethlisberger- 4.80 (63rd percentile)

Mason Rudolph- 4.90 (41st)

Devlin Hodges- 4.84 (54th)

Paxton Lynch- 4.86 (49th)

J.T. Barrett- 4.70 (81st)

Wow, the Steelers currently employ some slow QBs. All of them pass Gil Brandt’s minimum of 4.90 with Mason just barely sneaking by a nose. In a league that has started to ask for more and more mobility at the position, this is a little concerning and hopefully something that will start to trend towards better athletes in the future. After this Big Ben does not have any further combine or pro day numbers and will be excluded.

10 and 20 yard splits

Mason Rudolph- 1.71, 2.88

Devlin Hodges- 1.69, 2.77

Paxton Lynch- 1.69, 2.81

J.T. Barrett- 1.65, 2.76

As far as splits on the 40 goes, Gil Brandt wants 1.70 10 yard split to show initial burst, and a 2.85 to show maintained burst. Mason Rudolph fails to meet both of these position minimums, while the rest of the crop passes, even if just barely.

Vertical Jump

Mason Rudolph- 26"

Devlin Hodges- 32"

Paxton Lynch- 36"

J.T. Barrett- 30"

For explosiveness and leg strength, Brandt’s minimum is 30 inches. Again, every QB on roster passes except one Mason Rudolph. His physical limitations appear to be stacking up. Paxton Lynch really shined here, surprised he wasn’t asked to work out at tight end. (joking, obviously)

Broad Jump

Mason Rudolph- 8’11"

Devlin Hodges- 8’7"

Paxton Lynch- 9’10"

J.T. Barrett- 9’0"

In a drill skewed towards taller players, the broad jump again is used to measure explosiveness. Brandt’s minimum here is 9’0", Both Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges fail here, but it is kind of disappointing to see the 6’5" QB miss out, especially when then 6’7" Lynch almost jumped a full two feet further.

Short Shuttle

Mason Rudolph- 4.56

Devlin Hodges- 4.53

Paxton Lynch- 4.26

J.T. Barrett- 4.44

The short shuttle measures flexibility, balance, and burst. Here Brandt looks for a time of 4.20. None of the Steeler quarterbacks were able to hit this threshold, with Lynch coming in with the best time and Rudolph the worst.

3 Cone

Mason Rudolph- N/A

Devlin Hodges- 7.38

Paxton Lynch- 7.14

J.T. Barrett- 7.38

The 3 cone or "L" drill measures change of direction and agility. Brandt looks for a 7.15 in this which only Lynch was able to make. I think Mason made the right decision sitting this one out twice, because there is almost no way it would have helped him. I am disappointed with the times of Barrett and Hodges.

There is no set formula for successful QBs in the NFL; they come in all shapes and sizes with all kinds of physical and mental tools. Just because Rudolph only hit one of the thresholds set and Lynch killed just about every drill, that does not mean one has or will have a more successful career, though so far that would lean slightly in Mason’s favor. This was just to provide insight of how Steeler QBs have performed over the years.

Mock Draft

The Steelers trade down from their second round pick to the Jets for both of their third round picks. The Jets see their favorite interior offensive lineman falling, possibly a Bredeson or Ruiz, both from Michigan, and see the opportunity to snag one of them. The Steelers see a deep draft where the more picks the have, the more talent they can accumulate. In this scenario, Bud Dupree leaves in free agency, but Hargrave returns on a large contract. Remaining depth pieces are saved due to the difference in price tags of Dupree and Hargrave.

Round 3: Netane Muti, iOL, Fresno State.

Injury history causes a slide for Muti, who is likely the most talented guard in the draft. He would be able to come in day one and be among the strongest players on the Steelers’ roster. If he is able to stay healthy, this would be a steal.

Round 3: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Truthfully, I was inspired by K.T. Smith’s article breaking down how he could be used by the Steelers to throw him in a draft. He has just about every physical tool you could ask from. Add in his leadership, love of the game, and work ethic, he is a guy you root for and a guy it’s hard to see failing. In the third round, he is worth the risk in my opinion.

Round 3 (Comp): Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina

Edwards was likely a guy who would have rose his stock at the combine. Sitting on the sidelines, he now gets to see everyone else to just that and possibly jump over him in this crowded receiver class. The Steelers see the falling prospect and take a chance on a big, physical receiver that they have not had since Martavis Bryant.

Round 4: Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech

Keene was, to me, the most impressive tight end at the combine. He looked like what people wanted Adam Trautman to be. He was fluid, caught with ease, and performed extremely well in every drill. I’m not sure if he has any experience playing with his hand down, but he looked good yesterday, so I would be willing to take a chance on the Virginia Tech captain.

Round 4: Darrell Taylor, OLB, Tennessee

Taylor has been pushed down due to a gluttony of talent on the edge this year, but he is as explosive as anyone other than Chase Young. I think he could be a year one contributor as a situation pass rusher, and hopefully grows into a larger role over time.

Round 6: Geno Stone, S, Iowa

The local product comes home and is able to satisfy a nickel role in this defense. Iowa safeties have a strong track record even when they fall with Desmond King and Amani Hooker. He could prove to be a missing piece.

Round 7: Deejay Dallas, RB, Miami

Dallas was stuck in Miami where he had his struggles, but he has the size the Steelers look for in RBs, but hopefully is able to provide more burst than Conner, Snell, or Samuels, with his kick return background.