Best and worst possible options for the Steelers in the second round
By Tommy Jaggi
The Steelers have had some great selections and some poor draft picks in recent years. Here are their best and worst possible options at pick 49 in the 2020 NFL Draft.
There have been so many different opinions as to which positions the Steelers could target in the 2020 NFL Draft. For the first time since 1967, Pittsburgh is without a first-round pick entering the draft. Because of this, some of their usual draft trends may be thrown out the window.
Apart from the nose tackle position (which was a part-time role filled by Javon Hargrave), the Steelers don’t particularly have a ‘starting’ role they have to fill via the draft this year. On the offensive line, it looks like Matt Feiler may kick inside to left guard while Chukwuma Okorafor and Zach Banner battle it out at right tackle.
Bud Dupree was retained on the franchise tag for the 2020 season, and the Steelers filled one of their biggest needs at the tight end position this offseason by singing former 10th overall pick, Eric Ebron.
Though they may not need a day-one starter from this draft, Pittsburgh could use depth at a plethora of positions. The Steelers are only three deep at wide receiver, and they could be looking to upgrade the running back position with James Conner’s eventual replacement. Alejandro Villanueva is an aging left tackle entering his last season under contract, the Steelers could look to fill his shoes. In addition, lack of quality depth at quarterback (and potential successor to Ben Roethlisberger) has to be in the back of Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert’s minds.
On defense, the Steelers may need an eventual replacement for Bud Dupree, and they are desperate for some depth at inside linebacker. Safety is also a concern as they are razor-thin in that department.
The Steelers could go several directions early in the draft – which is scary part. Here are my best and worst-case scenarios for Pittsburgh at pick 49.