Thursday’s “First Call” links the Pittsburgh Steelers to two quarterbacks from different mock drafts.

Joe Haden is clinging to hopes that he will stay in Pittsburgh. More positive television ratings from the NFL.

And an unlikely ex-Penguin plays the goal-scoring hero in Manhattan.

And so it begins

Between now and the NFL draft (April 28-30), you are going to see a few thousand mock previews of the event.

With the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger looming, expect many of them to predict that the Steelers will select a quarterback.

To that point, it should be no surprise that two major outlets have a quarterback ticketed for Pittsburgh at pick No. 20 in the first round of their first mocks.

Mel Kiper’s initial mock draft at ESPN.com projects the Steelers selecting Mississippi QB Matt Corral.

“Corral fits the mentality of what Mike Tomlin wants from his team,” Kiper said. “He’s tough. He took a beating in multiple games in 2021, even running 30 times for 195 yards in a win over Tennessee. Oh, and he’s a stellar passer, too, with touch, accuracy and arm strength. At 6-foot, he’s not the biggest quarterback, but he threw 20 touchdown passes and just five picks this season. Corral sprained his ankle in the Rebels’ bowl game but should be fine to work out at the combine. Because he hasn’t yet graduated from school, he’s the only one of the top QBs who won’t be at the Senior Bowl, but he’ll get his chance to show his skill set in front of scouts later.”

I’m with Kiper on Corral’s toughness, arm, mobility and SEC pedigree. That’ll all appeal to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. I just don’t see him getting over Corral’s lack of size.

Tomlin likes tall quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger was 6’5”. The same can be said for Byron Leftwich and Mason Rudolph. Landry Jones, Dwayne Haskins and Dennis Dixon were between 6’3” and 6’4”. Charlie Batch was 6’2”.

The only guys shorter than that were Devlin Hodges (6’1”) and Michael Vick (6’0”) who were pressed into service following injuries. The team even gave 6’7” Paxton Lynch a shot.

So I’m also a bit dubious of The Athletic’s projection of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell as the Steelers draft pick at No. 20. He’s between 6’0” and 6’1” as well.

Draft analyst Dane Brugler says of Howell that he “has NFL-level arm talent and mobility and is ready to step in as the Steelers’ starter from day one.”

Brugler had Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett going to Washington at No. 11. Kiper placed him 18th with the New Orleans Saints.

Don’t go, Joe!

In the early morning hours after the Steelers were eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs, Steelers cornerback Joe Haden sent this post, thanking Steelers fans for their support over the years.

Steelers Nation….. I love u Guys! The Love I have felt from day One here has been unbelievable and I can’t thank you guys enough! We will see what the future holds! #GoldsPlan #ImNotDoneBalling! pic.twitter.com/oOpqSSPoBQ

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) January 17, 2022

Haden joined the Steelers in 2017 and has been a rare stabilizing influence at cornerback since he made the move from Cleveland.

But his contract is up at the end of this year. He’s 32 years old. He has slowed a bit and didn’t have an interception in 2021.

That said, Haden brings intelligence, savvy, leadership and off-the-charts intangibles. Plus, the Steelers are also dealing with free agency for the likes of Terrell Edmunds, Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon. So they can’t just let everybody go.

Maybe Haden sticks around on a short-term hometown discount deal. I doubt it. I bet somebody meets his asking price.

Haden sent out this tweet, trying to quell fan concerns that he may walk.

Door isn’t closed! We have until march 14th! https://t.co/KrN6pur7HH

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) January 18, 2022

March 14 is the date when legal tampering can begin. March 16 is the official start of free agency.

Related:

• U mad, bro?: Steelers fans emote after a bad playoff loss in very different ways • Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins vow to be good fits for Matt Canada's Steelers offense

Big draw in big ‘D’

The nail-biting wild-card ending between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers brought in huge television viewership.

According to “The Wrap,” the 23-17 victory by the 49ers — which stayed tense until the last play of the game — drew 41.4 million viewers across CBS and Nickelodeon. That’s the best performance for a wild-card playoff game in seven years.

However, the special kids-focused broadcast on Nick drew just 1.3 million. That’s down from the more than 2 million that watched last year’s presentation of the Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints game.

The game was also simulcast on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video. CBS said it was Paramount+’s most-streamed NFL game in its brief history.

Where did that come from?

Former Penguins bruiser Ryan Reaves normally makes headlines with big hits or with his fists.

Wednesday, he did so with his hands, scoring two goals for the New York Rangers.

Backhand. Forehand. Reavo. pic.twitter.com/p6Z9C42DM9

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 20, 2022

Reavo szn pic.twitter.com/Mrp1vnFB0H

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 20, 2022

The goals were part of a 6-3 New York win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. They were Reaves’ first two goals of the season with the Rangers. He had one in 37 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season.

At 26-10-4, the Rangers now lead the Metropolitan Division with 56 points. That is two points better than the second-place Carolina Hurricanes and three better than the third-place Washington Capitals.

The Penguins are in fourth place with 51 points. That’s good enough for the Eastern Conference’s top wild card. They are back in action Thursday night at home against the Ottawa Senators.

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