5 reasons Steelers could go EDGE with the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

5. Some historically great athletes will be available to them at pick 24

Ever since busting on Jarvis Jones back in 2013, the Steelers have been suckered from great athletes. Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, Terrell Edmunds, and Devin Bush each tested above the 95th percentile for athleticism, according to Relative Athletic Score, and they have made it a priority to target some of the most athletic players in the first round of the draft each year.

This doesn’t exactly fit the description of the running backs or offensive linemen from this class. While there are a few who fall into this category, they aren’t necessarily players the Steelers have shown a ton of interest in drafting. On the other hand, almost all of the top edge defenders this year displayed freakish athletic testing at their respective Pro Days this offseason. Penn State’s Jayson Oweh even tested as the best athlete we have ever seen at the position.

While these edge players aren’t perfect prospects and they each have things they need to work on, don’t underestimate how much the Steelers value athletic edge defenders. They know that getting quick pressure on the quarterback is the key that makes their engine run on defense, and they will want to keep that elite with Bud Dupree gone in 2021.

I’m not going to go as far as to guarantee that this is what Pittsburgh will be targeting with their 24th overall pick, but all signs have been pointing this as a definite possibility for the Steelers early in the NFL Draft.