Here are the three reasons that the Steelers should draft an offensive tackle in the first
As the Steelers news begins shifting more to mock offseasons and mock drafts, fans seem to be clamoring for the team to draft an offensive tackle in the first round of this draft. While one could easily argue that offensive tackle is a need, there are plenty of reasons that the team doesn’t need to get one in the first. Here are the three reasons that the Steelers shouldn’t draft an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2021 draft.
This doesn’t mean it isn’t a need
To be clear, just because the team doesn’t draft an offensive tackle in the first doesn’t mean that it isn’t a need. While there are plenty of good arguments for landing a top of tackle this year, there are some prevalent reasons that it could and should be waited on by the team. This doesn’t mean the team can ignore the position entirely, but if they wait until day two or even atop of day three, it could end up being the better value for the team.
As well, this doesn’t assume who will or won’t be there. There are some obvious top talent at offensive tackle, and if the value is truly there, then by all means the steelers should take one. The reasons below assume what is expected: there are a couple of good-not-elite offensive tackles that are available to pick at 24. If that is the case, there are reasons the team can and should look elsewhere. If a prospect falls through, then the value makes more sense. While I believe not grabbing a tackle in the first is fine, it would be wrong for the team to ignore the position despite a top talent somehow falling that far.
Value in the draft
It seems safe to say that this offensive tackle class is one of the deeper positions in the upcoming draft. While the top of the class is relatively set with Oregon’s Penei Sewell, the middle of the first round features some talent that could potentially start from day one. The likes of Alex Leatherwood, Jaylen Mayfield, and Samuel Cosmi could all be available at pick 24. With such a talented class though, this means even more talent falls to the middle of the draft.
The likes of Jackson Carman, Walker Little, and the intriguing Spencer Brown should all go sometime on day two of the draft, and there are a few names that could even fall into the early fourth. While these names aren’t as pro-ready as some of the top names in the class, that doesn’t mean they are lacking in potential. It may take them a year before they are fully ready to start, but that shouldn’t be a huge deal for the Steelers (more on that below).
If the Steelers can wait until the second, third, or fourth round to draft their tackle, it opens up the beginning of the draft to other needs that have less value throughout the draft. Again, this assumes what seems likely right now, the middle of the pack tackles are the ones available. While they would be better off starting year one, the Steelers could get better value later on in the draft. Tackle is one of the deepest positions in the draft, so the team should make use of that and look elsewhere in the first.
Inhouse options
While the Steelers are likely set to lose left tackle Alejandro Villanueva in free agency, that doesn’t mean they are void of options at tackle. This year, they saw Chukwuma Okorafor admirably fill in at right tackle for most of the year. The former third-round pick was raw coming out of college, so it made sense that it took him an extra year to see the field before actually contributing. He had his lumps sure, but he seemed like an average to above-average option at right tackle.
As well, many seem to forget that Zach Banner was set to be the starting right tackle for this season before he was lost early in the year to injury. While he is a free agent, it seems extremely likely that he is back next year on a cheap deal so he can rebuild his value. Again, he won the battle out of camp. That means that the Steelers envisioned him being the better tackle than Okorafor who was ok this past year.
More than likely, even if the Steelers draft a tackle in the first this season, the beginning of the year starters will be Okorafor at left tackle and Banner at right tackle. This doesn’t mean a rookie would be forced to ride the bench, as the team likes to employ a third tackle as a tight end on occasion. That said, if that rookie came from a later pick, that role of top reserve tackle would be easier to deal with. The Steelers top pick wouldn’t be a backup most of the year then. Again, tackle is a need, and one that should be addressed, but the team could arguably wait on it and still get production from their starters.
Other needs
This is becoming the clearest issue for the Steelers, as their roster is set to have quite a few departures in free agency. This means the team will rely on the draft to find some early contributors for next year. Realistically, the team will have a relatively high need at center, tackle, running back, receiver, tight end, cornerback, and even linebacker. This roster will be filled with holes, and the front office will certainly have their work cut out for them.
The issue then becomes where the value seems to be in this draft. Take tight end for example. The top three options are talented and have high upsides, but after that, it seems like everyone is more of a backup type at the NFL level. If the Steelers deem tight end as a big need, they will likely need to spend their first-round pick on one to get one of the top prospects. What about center? If Pouncey returns, it may not be a top need, but the team will still need to be looking at centers relatively early.
You also have defense that could be a pick earlier than expected as well. The Steelers are set to have some talent leave their cornerback room, and it will need to be replenished. Throw in the prevalent needs at running back and receiver, and the Steelers will have a lot of work to do during this draft. It will come down to value, but the Steelers will be able to look at positions other than tackle in the first. At the end of the day, it could even be the best option for the Steelers.
While tackle is a clear need for the Steelers, they do have some options with what they do in the first round. They can’t be focused on only taking a tackle, as there will arguably be bigger needs than that in this draft. With the value that should be had in the middle rounds as well, the team may be wise to look elsewhere in the first. While it will ultimately depend on what the team does during free agency, just know that there are a lot of valid needs that could use a first-round selection.