Steelers 2020 draft plans: What positions will be targeted?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Chase Claypool of Notre Dame runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Chase Claypool of Notre Dame runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Jon Runyan #OL41 of Michigan interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Jon Runyan #OL41 of Michigan interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Steelers may look to fortify the offensive line and linebacker corps in the final two rounds of the draft

With no fifth-round pick, the Steelers will have only two additional opportunities after the fourth round to fortify certain positions.  One of those positions, I believe, we will look to fortify is ‘O-line. If Jon Runyan, OL from Michigan, is available in the sixth round, I say we take him.

Runyan, whose father also played at Michigan and was a Pro Bowl tackle, played tackle in college.  At 6′ 4″ and 306 lbs, I believe Runyan’s calling in the NFL would be guard.  Having recently signed Stefan Wisniewski, we do not have a pressing need at guard, but it’s never a bad idea to add depth at any position, particularly the ‘O’-line.

With our last pick, I think the Steelers will look to add another linebacker, either an OLB or an ILB.  While I don’t have anyone specific in mind for this pick, there will undoubtedly be a player out there, perhaps from a small school, who had a productive college career whom the Steelers may want to select to round out the 2020 draft class.

The Steelers need to make every pick count in this year’s draft

To wrap up this discussion, I will say this:  There will always be certain positions the Steelers need to bolster, there will always be certain positions the Steelers would like to bolster and there will always be certain positions that the Steelers, despite trying, can not bolster through the draft, for one reason or another.

This year’s draft may be more critical than other drafts simply because we do not currently possess a first-round pick.  What that means is that we are going to have to be smart about what positions we draft, when we draft those positions and what players we draft in those positions.

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