Tight End
While the running back class is extremely deep, the tight end is entirely top-heavy. With Kyle Pitts almost definitely off the board before the Steelers pick in the first, the only realistic long-term starter is Pat Freiermuth, as after him the position tanks into bit players and blockers. If the team wants to resolve their long-standing tight end issues, taking Freirermuth is the only realistic answer in this draft.
Eric Ebron is set to return this season, but his contract will void when the season ends, leaving this team desperate for another option. There is no realistic number two option, and unless a low-level free agent such as Jesse James enters the picture, this team will have a huge hole there. As well, tight ends usually take a season or two to develop before becoming stars, so taking one this season could set the Steelers up for next season.
The biggest issue is, Freiermuth would be a bit of a reach at 24. While that hasn’t stopped the Steelers before, it would be less than ideal in a year with so many team’s needs. What is possible is a trade back or for the team to move up in the second to land Freiermuth. Even if the team stays put at 24 and selects him, it will go a long way in rebuilding the tight end room. While the team has a starter for 2021, they need to get an option that will be here beyond just next season.