PHOTO BY KARL ROSER | PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Steelers should take a quarterback in the NFL Draft this week because they don’t have one — and not one that has long-term solution potential at the position.

I say that operating under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers eventually will sign with the Steelers (the Steelers feel similar).

But even if Rodgers does sign, he’s a one-and-done.

If Rodgers doesn’t sign, I’m aware Mason Rudolph is positioned to provide credible, professional, competent quarterback play in lieu of a high-upside alternative. But, it’s the latter you win big with on the way to being better than 10-8.

And did I mention the Steelers lack that guy?

They’ll need to go looking for him again next year, even if Rodgers eventually reports and makes 2025 memorable.

So, by all means, take the quarterback if he’s available at No. 21 overall — and if he’s Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart.

I’ve heard and seen the criticisms of this year’s quarterback crop in general, and of Dart in particular.

I’m just not buying them.

Dart passes my eye test with flying colors. He also has the resume and the measurables.

But he’s no longer an unknown quantity.

Back when the evaluation process began, Dart was considered by many to be a fringe first-round pick at best.

Then came the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine and all of the deep dives in the scouting community — amateur and professional — that have revealed Dart to be worthy of Top 10 consideration.

So, he might not be available at 21st overall now.

If not, the Steelers should try to trade down, and make every effort to get back into the second round while doing so.

This is an approach that can, and should, result in the Steelers still securing the top-end defensive tackle they covet; also the running back that is an absolute must.

Imagine the Steelers’ first couple of selections eventually yielding:

• Dart (at 21st overall) and a defensive tackle (third round, 83rd overall), with a running back yet to be identified.
• Or, one of the top-tier defensive tackles (Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, Mississippi’s Walter Nolan or Michigan’s Kenneth Grant in the 28th-to-30th overall range), one of the monster ball carriers that weighs north of 220 pounds (Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins or Iowa’s Caleb Johnson) in the late-second or early-third round (the haul for trading down in round one) and an eventual wide receiver yet to be named.
• Or, staying put and grabbing a defensive tackle (Harmon) and a running back, in that order, at No. 21 overall and at No. 83 overall.

After that, the path should be relatively self explanatory.

They need another wide receiver at some point (Maryland’s Tai Felton is among the intriguing down-the-line prospects available) because they didn’t have enough of those last season — and they can’t afford to find themselves in that position again; the arrival of D.K. Metcalf is a massive step in the right direction, but wide receiver remains a position that needs to be bolstered.

They need another cornerback, preferably one capable of playing press-man coverage (Iowa State’s Darien Porter lacks experience at the position, but oozes potential and can contribute on special teams as he develops).

And they need another defensive lineman (because they need more than one), even if they invest a first-round selection there. I’m enamored with Florida’s Cam’Ron Jackson as an eventual defensive line complement because he’s 6-foot-6 1/2 and 339 pounds.

This wasn’t the offseason to go quarterback shopping, and unfortunately that was, and remains, the Steelers’ biggest concern.

But this is a draft where that can at long last be dealt with, and a potential long-term solution (Dart) can finally be secured; Rodgers should have no bearing on drafting Dart if they think he is available.

Even if it doesn’t work out that way, there can — and should — be plenty of help on the way at other positions of need once the draft dust settles late Saturday afternoon or early Saturday evening.

All the Steelers have to do is not overthink it.

Mike Prisuta is the sports anchor/reporter for Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show. He’s also the host of the Steelers Radio Network Pregame Show and the color analyst for Robert Morris University men’s hockey broadcasts.