3 things Steelers fans should be worried about entering the NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
Pittsburgh has a lot of needs to fill this April, but here are three things Steelers fans should be worried about in the upcoming NFL Draft.
I wish I was one of those fans who could just kick my feet up and watch the NFL Draft without any anxiety, but I’m always nervous to see which players the Steelers will ultimately decide to go with early in the draft. This year has me more worried than ever.
Because Ben Roethlisberger is coming back for the 2021 season, there are legitimate concerns that Pittsburgh could get a little short-sighted and have a one-track mind on draft day. Instead of investing in cornerstone players that you could build a team around, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert (two members of the organization who may not be here five years from now) could draft a player they think will give them a boost right now. Here are three things all Steelers fans need to be concerned about in the 2021 NFL Draft:
Drafting a running back at pick 24
I’m still astonished at how many fans want them to take a running back with the 24th overall pick. If Pittsburgh were to have the rest of their roster in order, I might be able to understand this. However, running back has become more and more devalued in today’s NFL that is so focused on passing the football. Additionally, the Steelers still have glaring needs at center, offensive tackle, and cornerback – all positions in which they lost starters from a season ago.
If some of these reports are true, it really makes me question what the Steelers are thinking here. Locking yourself into one position with your first pick is never a good idea. Clearly, Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, or Javonte Williams would be massive upgrades over what Pittsburgh currently has on their roster, but after just losing three starting offensive linemen, I’m astonished that people believe any of these players could be great as rookies. Drafting running backs in the first round historically has not worked out, so I hope the Steelers aren’t willing to break the trend and take one at 24 this year.