Steelers Fan Mailbag: Answering NFL Draft questions

I recently fielded questions regarding Pittsburgh and the upcoming NFL Draft. Here’s our first edition of the Steelers fan mailbag.

Steelers fans everywhere are trying to prepare themselves for the upcoming NFL Draft. Though we have no say over what Pittsburgh intends to do this April, it doesn’t stop us from doing our homework on draft prospects and try to figure out which players would best represent our team in the future.

With countless hours poured into film study and draft trend research, I decided to create a ‘Steelers fan mailbag’ where fans could share their questions about topics pertaining to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Today, we are talking about the NFL Draft.

Here are the questions asked and my responses to each:

Question: You don’t think they will take an inside backer this year?

Answer: I would say they would. Just lost Barron and Matakevich. Vince Williams is still under contract until the 2021 offseason, so it’s not a pressing need, but depth is. If they pick up an FA between now and the draft, I will say no. Otherwise, I think they will. Don’t know what round.

Question: Tommy, what would you think of safety in 2nd round if they’re an absolute steal?

Answer: Not their biggest need, but I think Antonie Winfield Jr. has to be on their radar if available. Athletic, bloodlines, productive, and young. Durability is an issue though.

Question: Is it more likely the Steelers draft a WR at 49 since their lack of interest in the FA WR’s?

Answer: Yeah, wide receiver will certainly be on their radar. Zero depth and a strong 2020 WR class.

Question: Top 5 targets at 49 for Steelers?

Answer: RB Cam Akers is a guy that checks every box. Other guys I think they will like are WR Jalen Reagor, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Josh Uche, and CB Amik Robertson.

Question: J.K. Dobbins?

Answer: He falls short of meeting Steelers size thresholds (5’9”, 209). Steelers usually like 5’10”+, 215+. They could stray from that, but I don’t think they will. Tomlin does love Ohio State though.

Question: Well, I think the RB position needed to be addressed, whether it’s in the 2nd round or the 3rd or 4th. It needs to be addressed. We need a solid guy. A starter to carry a bigger load. Conner hasn’t proven he can be healthy and carry a big load, and I just don’t know about Snell. I say if Jonathan Taylor is available, the Steelers have to draft him. If not maybe AJ Dillion, JK Dobbins, Cam Akers…. all I know is that it’s a position that needs to be addressed.

Answer: Jonathan Taylor would be the only one I would spend a 2nd on. It’s a better class than last year, though. I think Cam Akers will be a target for them.

Question: What player in this draft could help fill the Nickel LB role that Barron played last year?

Answer: Akeem Davis-Gaither would be terrific in that role. Probably would have to spend their 3rd to land him.

Question: What are the chances of us picking an O-Lineman with our 1st pick?

Answer: Better than most people think. Steelers could go with any spot on the offensive line, and they have just one tackle under contract after 2020 (Chukwuma Okorafor).

Question: What would it take trade into the late 2nd round or early 3rd. 2021 draft capital possible?

Answer: Probably your second-round pick in 2021 to get into the third. An additional mid-round 2021 pick to get into the second.

Question: Who could you realistically see the Steelers trading up for? Possibly even cracking into the 1st round.

Answer: I really don’t think a trade-up is a possibility this year with limited draft capital. I think Steelers are more likely to trade down to grab an additional pick.

Question: What is a realistic 2nd round move for the Steelers in the draft? Heard grumblings of trading the pick. 

Answer: Steelers traded up last year. Don’t have the firepower to do it this year. Cross that off your list of options. They rarely trade back. They could go several directions, but I think possible selections could be Julian Okwara, Josh Uche, Cam Akers, Jalen Reagor.

I hope you enjoyed my first Steelers fan mailbag. There are still a lot of questions that need answering, and I would love to keep you in the loop. Please follow me on Twitter and like our Facebook page.