Steelers 2020 NFL draft recap: Re-tooling both offense and defense
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers added depth to both the offense and the defense in the 2020 NFL draft
An argument can be made that the Steelers 2020 draft began last year when we traded our 2020 first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who, in my opinion, stabilized the defense after the injury to Sean Davis.
Our 2020 first-round pick, which was traded to the Miami Dolphins, was used to select an offensive tackle out of USC. Now, it is entirely possible that Austin Jackson, the aforementioned player, will become a Pro Bowl player like Fitzpatrick; however, I would argue that the Steelers got the better deal.
Not only did we acquire a ‘playmaker’ on defense, but we were also able to add quality depth and/or quality competition at several positions, despite not having a first-round. Were you to make the argument about which we spoke, I dare say you would win said argument.
No first-round pick, no problem as far as I am concerned. Because of the unprecedented circumstances under which the 2020 NFL draft occurred, it harkened back to the days of yesteryear when there were neither Pro Days nor individual team visits.
The 2020 draft class was assembled via the NFL Scouting Combine, for most of the draftees, and via the watching of game tape. I have said many times that the NFL combine is a good tool to use in evaluating talent, but it is not the only tool at our disposal. To me, the game tape is vastly more telling.
So, with all of that said, let’s explore the Steelers 2020 NFL draft class.