Steelers snag Penn State's Drew Allar in the third round. Will physical tools and arm talent translate to NFL starter potential?
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar entered the 2025 season hoping to boost his stock for the 2026 NFL Draft.
There was a possibility the Nittany Lions signal-caller could be taken in the first round if he had a solid season.
However, he finished with 1,100 yards passing, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions before puffing a season-ending ankle injury against Northwestern amid a 3-3 start for Penn State.
Allar appeared to be on the edge of being a Day 2 or Day 3 pick after the NFL Combine in March.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Allar with the No. 76 pick.
As a third-round pick, Allar will enter the league as a developmental project for new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Scouting Report
Lance Zierlein with NFL media thinks Allar has the physical size and arm talent to compete in the league, but he must be more consistent if he wants to become a starter.
"In big moments and big games, he hasn’t proven he can rise to the occasion or sustain efficiency," Zierlein wrote. "The stats looked good in a conservative offense as a sophomore, but his play became more erratic once the playbook was opened up and more responsibility was put on his plate.
"He can be slow to process and get to his best option. He also struggles to adjust his pre-snap plan to fit the coverage... Against zone, he makes anticipatory throws and beats coverage at an adequate clip. Mechanical fixes are possible, but confidence, poise, and recognition must be the foundation of any rebound."
How Drew Allar fits with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Allar has the potential to become a starter for the Steelers. With Aaron Rodgers unsure about returning for 2026, this pick will give Pittsburgh another quarterback to give Will Howard competition for a spot on the depth chart.
The Steelers hope Rodgers will return for the upcoming season, but have to plan as though he's ready to retire.
If Rodgers returns, Allar would have a year to learn behind one of the league's best quarterbacks this century before competing for the starting gig in 2027.