The Steelers have several positions that require attention leading up to the 2021 NFL draft
I don’t know about you but it’s that time of the year where I begin to get excited about the prospect of the Steelers drafting our next future Hall of Fame player. If you’ve been around for as long as I have, I go back to 1978 which was the year my Steelers, and, coincidentally, my NFL journey began, you’ve witnessed the drafting of legendary players. Conversely, you’ve also witnessed the drafting of players who did not quite live up to our expectations.
I think the above scenario plays out in every draft. The key, in my opinion, is to realize that there may not be a future Hall of Fame player available when your turn comes around and unless you’re willing to trade up and, thus, mortgage the future, the expectation is that the players whom you draft, particularly in the first four rounds, will at a minimum become quality starters.
The reason I say the first four rounds is this: In a 7-round draft, the likelihood of ‘hitting’ on players in each round is slim; the expectation; however, is that the Steelers will be able to ‘hit’ on the players drafted in the first four rounds. This is obviously my opinion, but I think we can all acknowledge that the Steelers have not always had the best drafts and thus have disappointed us.
I fear that disappointment may be feeling after the 2021 draft is all said and done. I hope that will not be the case, but with the needs we currently have at vital positions, such as RB, OT, C, WR, OLB. CB and possibly QB, I can’t help but think that we will commence the draft by trading up and reaching for a player because of need. I am of the opinion that we draft the best player available at pick 24, then possibly trade up or trade down if the value is there and if the opportunity presents itself.
Steelers fans may have to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach after the 2021 draft
So the reason I say that Steelers fans may have to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach is this: Let’s assume the Steelers draft an RB in the first round. Some fans will be elated with that pick; some fans will be not so elated with that pick and some fans will be cautiously optimistic. Frankly, if we were to draft the best RB available at pick 24, I would be fine with that as the running game last season was paltry at best.
Like any player, whomever the Steelers draft with pick 24 will be under a microscope. Taking it steps further, the 2021 draft class will be under a microscope because of the holes we have on both sides of the ball. So we draft an RB at pick 24 but bypass the best CB or the best EDGE rusher available, how would we feel about that?
Again, some fans will OK with that because we need an RB. I would not be OK with that. Yes, we need an RB but not at the expense of the best player available, regardless of position. Let’s say one of the top QBs happens to fall to us at pick 24, what do we do then? Well, I would say draft him, if he’s the best player available at that time.
I know I’ve said this in prior discussions, but the Steelers are a franchise that once drafted four future Hall of Famers in a single draft. Now, I don’t know if that would happen in this draft, but you never know. What I do know is this: Some of the players we draft will need to have an immediate impact while others may take a little longer to develop.
Regardless of what transpires, Steelers fans may be disappointed if we don’t bring another Lombardi trophy back to Pittsburgh. It’s been way too long for my liking.