Top 5 biggest NFL draft needs for Steelers in 2021

The Steelers may need to replenish the OLB position

Even if Bud Dupree, our former first-round pick of the 2015 NFL draft, decides to re-sign with us, we would still need to replenish the OLB ranks. For a team whose base defense is 3-4, having both viable starters and backups is paramount to the success of the defense.

Since Dupree was lost to injury, I think it’s fair to say that the defense just hasn’t ‘looked’ or ‘felt’ the same, at least in my opinion.  For the sake of continuity, it would be preferable and, quite frankly, would be the best option if we were able to re-sign Dupree.

In his absence, our backups have been inconsistent with respect to being able to not only ‘set the edge’ against the run, but with respect to being able to put pressure on the opposing QB. I think it’s not a major revelation to say that the defense simply works better when both OLBs complement each other’s skill set.

I think that is what we currently have with Dupree and T.J. Watt, our former first-round pick in the 2017 draft.  Unfortunately, the reality is this: we may not be able to re-sign Dupree knowing that we will have to eventually extend Watt; the cost may just be too prohibitive.  Honestly, I hope it’s not.

If we can’t re-sign Dupree, we will probably draft another OLB despite the fact that we drafted an OLB in the 2020 draft.  As I said, a team that runs a base 3-4 can never have too many quality players at the OLB position.

Let’s take a look at our second biggest draft need.