3 positions the Steelers should prioritize in the NFL Draft

#1–Center

Now this, my friends, is a problem. Recently, star Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey officially announced his retirement from the NFL. In other words, this is a playmaker who, unlike Villanueva, we know is out the door. Subsequently, the center position is one that, unlike offensive tackle, we know is in desperate need of a solid replacement. So common sense tells me that it should be the top priority to cover in the draft (preferably in the first round).

Let’s be real here: despite what Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says, Ben Roethlisberger is likely going to be QB1 in Pittsburgh next season. As blunt as it may come across, we must keep in mind that Ben is older and, as a result, more susceptible to injury. He, like all quarterbacks, need protection from the offensive line as a whole, but especially up the middle. He’s a pass-first guy and he’s not fast, so the pocket is a safe bet as to where he will usually be found. Ben can’t afford to have a huge defensive lineman right in his face too soon after a snap. He throws enough picks already, it’s smart not to hurry him to the point that he is at risk of throwing even more. This is most likely the last season of his career; what Steelers fan wants to see him go out like that?

From a running game standpoint, James Conner differs from former Pittsburgh RB Le’Veon Bell in the sense of playstyle. Bell would hold back, and try to make something up as he went along based on how the defense was executing their response to the play call. Meanwhile, Conner is more prone to run up the middle, right where a reliable center is expected to lead the block and make a hole. How can the probability of these efforts being successful sit at its highest caliber without said center being taken in round one?

My overall point is that the Steelers’ hierarchy of draft needs is so simple to piece together that a child could do it. Pittsburgh first needs to focus on what they know for a fact is severely shorthanded, then cover the positions who are merely in jeopardy of the same fate, followed by the ones that are secure with who all they currently possess, but could still bear to use a little more depth. To reference what I said to begin this tirade if there is any franchise to trust with the draft process, it is the Pittsburgh Steelers. So if they do in fact pick up a center with their first selection, I will accept apologies via either Gmail or Twitter.