3 things Steelers fans should be worried about entering the NFL Draft

Ignoring the best players available to fill needs

Good teams abide by the philosophy of taking the best players available to you in the draft and filling needs in free agency. I understand that getting quality free agents is an issue for the Steelers this offseason, considering the salary cap situation, but I still don’t think they should ignore taking the best player available when they are on the clock.

In all honesty, there aren’t a lot of positions outside of wide receiver that you would say shouldn’t be in contention for the Steelers early in the 2021 NFL Draft, as they have needs at running back, center, offensive tackle, cornerback, and edge defender. While some needs are greater than others, there is a balance between drafting the best available players and still being able to fill a need.

Azeez Ojulari from Georgia is a perfect example. I think this would be a slamdunk pick for Pittsburgh at 24 – assuming he is still available at this point. Ojulari is a 20-year-old edge defender from the SEC with great length and athletic traits with terrific production. This has nothing to do with my thoughts on Alex Highsmith, but everything to do with being able to grab a true first-round-graded player at this spot. This is just one example, but the Steelers can’t make the mistake of ignoring terrific players simply to fill needs they feel are greater. Just take great players and things will work out.