Thursday marks the 2021 NFL Draft after a year like no other. The draft should be a nice reminder of what lay ahead for the Black and Gold and hopefully helps put the disastrous end to the 2020 season in the rear view mirror. Kevin Colbert has a solid track record of building the team through the draft. The team is in transition and need to make some wise and strong picks to replenish the cupboard.
The Steelers front office has hit and hit pretty big on five of the last ten picks, with two undecided (Terrell Edmunds, S /Devin Bush, LB), two misses (Jarvis Jones, LB /Artie Burns, CB) and of course no first rounder last year.
Draft Needs:
Offensive Line: For the first time in a very long time the Steelers offensive lines has more questions than answers. Maurkice Pouncey, who anchored the Center spot for about a decade, is headed to retirement, so is Bloomsburg Alumni, Matt Feiler, who headed west for greener pastures and an even greener bank account. Alejandro Villanueva also is in flux and depending on the draft is most likely leaving the Burgh. The Steelers need a minimum of a prospect at Center and at Tackle. The good news is this is one of the strongest offensive lineman drafts in recent history, with tackles being slightly stronger than interior lineman and there should be all kinds of value picks. Colbert excels at getting value later in the draft.
Running Back: With James Conner never recapturing his first season magic, the Steelers are in need of a replacement at running back. The running game was atrocious a year a go and all but bottomed out. It was probably the single biggest reason they made an early exit from the playoffs. The Steelers desperately need a back but it is hard to see them using the 24th pick to do it. This will be a mid-round selection but again has to be addressed this year.
Cornerback: This could have been recycled from two years ago. Steven Nelson was a cap casualty after a solid tenure in the Burgh. Justin Layne is more than likely done now because of off field troubles. The Steelers lack any talent or depth at the spot and need a talent injection here. It might be worth looking at grabbing an elite corner prospect at 24 or even making a move to grab one in the first round.
Edge Rusher: Bud Dupree a former first round pick is now gone from Pittsburgh too. The Steelers need someone opposite T.J. Watt and they think Alex Highsmith might be the answer. Finding linebacker talent has always been a team strength and this year they will grab the best edge rusher available. Don’t be surprised if they use one of the first two picks on this spot, even thought Offensive Line and Running back are the more glaring needs.
Quarterback: It should go without being written the Ben Roethlisberger era is about to draw to a close. Contrary to what the mainstream press said, he had a very good year overall in 2020 and the team is better with him than without him. It was a tale of two seasons for Roethlisberger, the total lack of a running game and the fact that he simply just wore down over shadowed a very good overall season. The Steelers have the very interesting Dwayne Haskins, who needed a change of scenery. on the roster with Mason Rudolph who has shown some signs of success and Joshua Dobbs who is still somewhat of a mystery. It would be wise to invest in the position and see what falls into their lap.
Below is the Steelers current picks barring any trades.
Round 1, No. 24 overall
Round 2, No. 55
Round 3, No. 87
Round 4, No. 128
Round 4, No. 140
Round 6, No. 216
Round 7, No. 245
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!