While the Steelers need to rebuild their offense, their needs mixed with the talent available lead to certain positions being targeted by round.
The Steelers offense needs an influx of talent, and the draft will almost certainly feature quite a few key offensive pieces being added to the roster. That said, the depth in the draft changes by position, and the team will need to maximize their picks by targeting positions in certain rounds.
Each position has its deep and shallow spots, so it will be up to the team to target positions in appropriate rounds. Here is each round the Steelers should target each offensive position.
Quarterback
Seventh Round
While many Steelers fans are clamoring for a first-round quarterback, the odds of them adding one at pick 24 is unlikely. Ben Roethlisberger is back for what seems to be his last season, and the team has Super Bowl aspirations. Adding a quarterback in the first does little to further that goal this season, and the odds of a top quarterback falling that far seems unlikely. Instead, the team should wait it out and try to add an option at the end of the draft.
While a seventh-round quarterback doesn’t scream future franchise option, the fact of the matter is this team needs to focus on winning in Roethlisberger’s last season. The rebuild will have to wait, but that shouldn’t stop the team from investing in the position. There are plenty of late-round options, such as Feleipe Franks, Sam Ehlinger, and K.J. Costello that could develop into decent backups. No, adding a quarterback late in the draft won’t provide a future franchise option, but it could lead to a developed backup that can help mentor the next franchise quarterback in the future.
Running Back
Third Round
Another position that is getting senselessly overhyped is running back. While a prospect like Najee Harris is tempting in the first, the value of taking a running back that early isn’t there. As well, there won’t be a running back prospect worth selecting in the second round unless Javonte Williams falls that far. If he doesn’t, the Steelers would be wise to target a back in the third round.
Names like Trey Sermon, Kenneth Gainwell, Jermar Jefferson, and Rhamondre Stevenson all should be there in the third and each has legitimate long-term starting value. If the team goes this route, adding a center early will be even more vital. A third-round back can succeed, but odds are they aren’t perfect. Having a line capable of opening holes will thus become key, as it will hide any issue that a running back could have.
While some argue that the Steelers need to invest in a running back early to succeed, that simply isn’t the case in the NFL anymore. Some of the top running backs were taken in the third round or later. Names like Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, James Robinson, and Kareem Hunt are some of the top backs in the league despite being picked in or after the third round. Last year, Antonio Gibson was one of the top-performing rookies even though he was selected in the third round. Running backs find success quickly in the NFL, so the Steelers should have little issue investing in one in the third if they miss out on one of the top guys.
Receiver
Fourth Round
Wide receiver isn’t much of a need for the Steelers this season, but this class is so insanely deep that the team may keep up their tradition of adding a new receiver every year in the draft. While the team wouldn’t need a fourth-round receiver based on how deep they are at the position, this will likely be where the best value is at. With this class being so deep, plenty of quality options will fall through the cracks. Guys that would normally be day two picks will likely still be available in the fourth round.
The same argument could be made for even later round guys. The reason I think the fourth round makes the most sense is the Steelers could feasibly get a receiver there that ultimately starts down the road. While a decent depth option could be had later, the fourth round will feature the options that could have gone on day two but got lost in the shuffle due to this class being as deep as it is.
Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz, and Josh Imatorbhebhe highlight just a few of the names that should be around in the fourth. There are plenty of others that would make sense as well. This round appears to be the sweet spot for teams that want to get a shot at a long-term option for a day three draft pick. While not a need, the value in the fourth may be too good to pass up for the Steelers.
Tight End
First Round
Last year’s tight end class had few top options, but it was filled with intriguing options in the middle rounds. This year is the opposite, as there are two top options that have the potential to be top-of-the-line starters and only a few intriguing options besides that. One of those top options, Kyle Pitts, has next to no chance to fall to the Steelers, meaning if the team wants to get a potential starter, it will have to be Pat Freiermuth.
While he isn’t a value selection at pick 24, it seems unlikely he makes it to the team in the second round. This means if the Steelers want a shot at a starting tight end in this class, they will have to select Freiermuth in the first. While a tight end isn’t the biggest need, there is no clear option behind Eric Ebron. Add in the fact that Ebron is likely gone after this year and this position is filled with questions both next season and beyond.
While a tight end like Tommy Tremble has some potential, it is hard to envision him ever being much more than a great compliment and not a go-to option in the receiving game. Sure, if the Steelers look elsewhere in the first they can still target a tight end later. That said, that player will likely be a blocker only and shouldn’t be counted on as much of a receiving threat. If the team wants a future starter, it is first round or bust this draft.
Offensive Tackle
Third Round
While a lot of fans have offensive tackle as a first-round need, the reality is that this team is relatively set at the position next season. Long-term they will need some options, but that opens the door for a developmental player to be the pick over higher round pick. With this class being so deep at the position, the team can still get a decent developmental player somewhere in the third round.
Options like Walker Little, Spencer Brown, and Brady Christensen are projected to be available then, and each has the potential to be a starter on either side of the line down the road. While the team could certainly target a falling tackle earlier in the draft, the third round seems like a good zone to target a tackle. They could sit for the season and enter the starting competition next year.
Had the team not brought back Zach Banner this need would have vaulted to at least a second-round pick and more than likely the top overall need. Instead, the team is set at tackle and even signed swing tackle Joe Haeg as a free agent. A rookie has no way to playing time year one, meaning the team shouldn’t target it before round three unless the value is too great. The third round and perhaps even after that makes the most sense for the team to target a tackle.
Interior Offensive Line
Day Two
I’m cheating a little bit here, but the Steelers have to leave day two of the draft with a center being selected. Either round will do, as there are plenty of suitable names that should be around in both, but with a center being the biggest team need it must be addressed early. If there was a first-round-worthy center this targeted round would be the first but there simply isn’t a prospect that makes sense at 24.
In the second round, if Creed Humphrey, Landon Dickerson, or Josh Myers are around, they could serve as the starter this season. Any of the three make a lot of sense and would be valuable linemen going forward. More than likely, at least one of these options is off the board though, and if a run happens early the team may have to wait an extra round to grab their center.
Quinn Meinerz or Trey Hill would be perfectly suitable third-round consolation prices if need be. Both need to develop a little more before being tasked with starting, but B.J. Finney could man down the position until a rookie is ready. No matter what round the team targets one, a day two of the draft has to involve a center getting drafted.
The Steelers offense has quite a few needs this offseason, and the draft won’t quite fill all of them. That said, there are clearly some deeper rounds than others to address certain positions. These are the rounds that make the most sense for the team to invest in each offensive position.