5 biggest needs Steelers must address in the 2021 NFL Draft

5. Edge defender

Bud Dupree returning to the team seems like a pipe dream at this point. Even if the Steelers were able to clear enough cap space to potentially sign him, they would probably rather bring back a player like Villanueva or JuJu Smith-Schuster with that money. 2020 third-round rookie Alex Highsmith was surprisingly good in his first NFL season, but he may be best as a rotational edge defender.

Even if Highsmith proves that he is worthy of being the long-term starter opposite of T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh is desperate for depth behind him. With Dupree gone, the Steelers currently have zero depth at the position outside of Watt and Highsmith as Ola Adeniyi and Jayrone Elliott are both free agents. Even if one or both was brought back for the 2021 season, Pittsburgh could use an upgrade.

This isn’t a great draft class for edge defenders, but it is relatively deep, and the Steelers could find a rotational player into the third or maybe even fourth round. If they decide to address the position as early as the 24th pick, Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari would be a perfect fit across from T.J. Watt.

The Steelers have many needs to fill this offseason but I would be shocked if they decided not to address each of these positions at some point this offseason. With very little projected money to work with after Pittsburgh becomes cap-compliant, expect them to fill these needs in the 2021 NFL Draft.