2020 Draft: What DL will be available for the Steelers?
By Andrew Falce
With a wide variety of names being mocked to the Steelers, looking over the past drafts will give an idea of who will be available to them.
The NFL Draft is always a fun and crazy time in the offseason, as hopeful prospects earn their shot on pro rosters. Players rise, others fall, and rabid speculation leads some of the most action-packed time not on an NFL field. For the Steelers, the draft represents a time to retool and rebuild the roster. For a team that builds through the draft, this is the most essential time in the offseason.
As more and more mock drafts come out, it becomes increasingly clear that no one knows much about who will go where, as comments become riddled with “he won’t fall that far” and “he’s a reach there”. However, some simple research can yield a lot of info about who falls to where. By taking a composite of the last three drafts, trends arise by a position as to how many players can be expected to be selected.
QB, RB, pass catchers, and OL all been covered, meaning now it’s time to look at the defense. Specifically, with this post, the big ugly in the trenches are up next. This position is the most and least set all at the same time. DE is incredibly deep right now after trading for Chris Wormley and drafting Isaiah Buggs last year. Perhaps Buggs adds a little weight and shifts inside? That may be determined by the draft.
NT is where the issue lies, as losing Javon Hargrave has left a huge hole in the middle. The only tested NT on the roster right now is Daniel McCullers, and he just doesn’t have it. That said, the position only naturally plays 200-300 snaps a year, so the team could work around not having a true starter at the position.