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3 takeaways from the Steelers first three draft choices

By Michelle Kotts

Nov 3, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the ball by guard David DeCastro (66) as they play the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the ball by guard David DeCastro (66) as they play the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /
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Since the Steelers’ loss to the Browns in the playoffs, everyone with an opinion has offered their two cents worth about the Steelers draft.

On one side, with the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey and Villanueva opting for free agency, many wanted Pittsburgh to draft either a center or tackle. Countless fans and analysts said the Steelers offensive line is in shambles, and unless they draft a lineman in the first round, the 2021 season will be a disaster.

On the flip side, with Bud Dupree bolting and the season-ending injury to Devin Bush and a minor knee injury to Robert Spillane, the linebacker corps has been devastated, and unless they draft an edge rusher or a linebacker, the 2021 season will be a mitigating disaster like the 2020 season. Then some felt Ben Roethlisberger is out of gas, and Pittsburgh needed to invest in a long-term replacement and that the Steelers will not go to another Superbowl unless they do.

Each of those arguments has merit on some level. Three linebackers had knee injuries Devin Bush, Bud Dupree, and Robert Spillane. Then Dupree opted for free agency at the end of the season. So it’s apparent fans would want deeper depth at the position and a replacement for Dupree. Steelers fans love their linebackers.

Losing Alejandro Villanueva to free agency and Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement certainly is concerning. Replacing Villanueva is problematic given his size; however, Pittsburgh lost another potential Hall of Famer when Pouncey retired. Replacing him is next to impossible. So it makes sense that the Steelers, on their first pick, would want to shore up the offensive line, protect Ben Roethlisberger and improve the rushing game. Finally, finding a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger must occur at some point; there were many quarterbacks on the board. So it’s logical if Pittsburgh would take one, this would be the year.

With the two selections, they went in opposite directions. So what did we learn about the Steelers after their first three selections?

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