The Steelers will be ‘on the clock’ very shortly so let’s ‘mock’ the ensuing 2021 NFL draft
So, I don’t know about you but I am one of those fans who watches the NFL draft in its entirety, something I have done for several years. My soon-to-be 23-year-old son has joined me for much of those adventures. Whether I am at home or traveling, I make it a point to watch the draft.
I watch the draft for a few reasons: First, and foremost, I consider myself to be an educated fan, thus I want to witness how a particular draft plays out. Second, I want to see what our competition does with respect to the draft. Last, as the draft is unfolding, I try to play out different scenarios in my head to see if any or all come to fruition.
Full disclosure: This particular discussion will not be a traditional mock draft discussion, per se, where certain players are ‘mocked’ in certain rounds. Rather, this discussion will focus on the likelihood of the Steelers drafting a certain position in a particular round. As much as I enjoy reading mock draft articles, I enjoy trying to predict what position will be targeted in what round more.
Make no mistake, as I have stated in previous discussions, the Steelers goal each and every year is and frankly should be to hoist the Lombardi Trophy after emerging victorious in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that has not happened since the 2008 season. For Steelers fans, twelve seasons without a Super Bowl win is not only frustrating but unacceptable as well.
In the 2021 draft, the Steelers will be armed with eight total picks, assuming no trades, of course. Since we currently have no fifth-round pick, it was rather nice of the NFL to award us a compensatory pick in the fourth round. So what will the Steelers be able to accomplish with the aforementioned eight draft picks? Let’s discuss.
The Steelers have eight total picks to improve the team and to compete for a Lombardi Trophy in 2021
So with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, the Steelers select what player? I think we have four glaring needs, two on offense; two on defense. As much as I think we need to and should go with the best player available at pick 24, I am leaning towards us taking a RB; however, if both of the top RBs are off the board, I think we go OL.
In the second round, I think we select the best OLB (EDGE rusher) available. It’s possible that by the time we pick in the second round, there really won’t be an OLB (EDGE rusher) who warrants being picked in the second round, so I think we may go with OL or RB, whatever position we did not address in the first round.
In the third round, I think we address a defensive need by selecting a CB. Since we have not had much luck drafting a CB in the first or second rounds, we probably take one here. With two picks in the fourth round, I think we can get some ‘value’ picks by selecting another OL and a DL. Since neither of these positions is considered a ‘skill’ position, there will probably be some good players from which to choose.
With our remaining three picks, one in the sixth round and two in the seventh round, I think we select the best three players available when our turn comes around. The Steelers have ‘struck gold’ over the years in the later rounds so there’s no reason to believe that cannot happen again. If I had to guess, I would go with a TE in the sixth round, another DL, and a Safety in the seventh round.
Since none of us knows exactly what the Steelers are going to do over the course of the 2021 NFL draft, I suggest we sit back and enjoy the potential ‘roller coaster’ ride that may ensue in a few days.