Chiefs Super Bowl win should have Steelers looking for offense early in the NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have some challenging decisions to make this April. Here’s why the Chief’s performance in the Super Bowl could convince them to go offense in the NFL Draft.
There has been a lot of speculation already this offseason as to which direction the Steelers may go early in the 2020 NFL Draft this April. While some draft analysts are predicting a tight end or an offensive lineman, others have Pittsburgh setting their sites on an edge rusher or a linebacker. Kansas City’s recent Super Bowl win could play a factor in helping the Steelers decide where to go.
Though Pittsburgh’s team is predicated around their defense that consists of star players on each level, the Chiefs could be showing us that offense may be the way to go.
The San Francisco 49ers had perhaps the best (and arguably most talented) defense in the league in 2019. Their front seven was loaded with some of the best players the league has to offer in Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker, Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, Fred Warner, and Kwon Alexander.
Yet despite this otherworldly talented defense, it took Patrick Mahomes and company just minutes to throw up 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Obviously, there are a lot of factors that come into play here, and if the game was played over again, it could merit different results. However, after seeing the elite firepower the Chiefs possess, is nabbing a talented skill player in the draft the way to go for the Steelers this offseason? More specifically, a wide receiver.
Currently, Pittsburgh has a promising young trio of wide-outs in JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington. Though all three of these guys stand to be solid contributors for the Steelers in 2020, there is no question they are lacking depth at the position and overall explosiveness.
Take a moment to consider how the Chiefs have built their team. Yes, they do have a great head coach and an amazingly talented quarterback. However, they also have explosive, dynamic playmakers all-around their offense.
Tyreke Hill is a receiver who is impossible to stick with and can torch defenders down the field at any given moment. Travis Kelce is one of the league’s top two pass-catching tight ends who can absolutely exploit linebackers and safeties, while Sammy Watkins is a former first-round draft choice who can get open with ease.
Despite all of these legitimate receiving threats in place, Kansas City still decided to go with speedster wide receiver, Mecole Hardman, with their top pick in last year’s draft. During his rookie season, Hardman proved to be a legitimate deep threat for the Chiefs – averaging nearly 21 yards per reception. His presence on the field forced defensive coordinators to respect his speed. As a result, it helped open things up underneath for everyone else.
There is no question the Steelers are reaching the end of the Super Bowl window with Ben Roethlisberger, and Pittsburgh should be trying to do everything in their power to get him as many playmakers as possible. Adding a speedy wide receiver could be exactly what the Steelers need to take their offense to new heights.
Next. Average players are eating up too much salary cap space for the Steelers. dark
There are a lot of fads and trends in the NFL that teams try to mimic, but I truly think the Chiefs are onto something with the way that they have been able to exploit even the best NFL defenses. Perhaps looking for offensive help early in the draft is the way for the Steelers to go this April.