3 takeaways from the Steelers first three draft choices

Quality Over Needs

Ok, the Steelers have not had a perfect draft record. They have had draft flops like Mark Malone, or linebacker Huey Richardson, Walter Abercrombie, or John Rienstra. However, the draft misses aside; generally, the players they land benefits the team. Noll did that in the ‘70s when he mined the draft for quality players. Mike Webster in the 4th round, Mel Blount in the 3rd round, L.C. Greenwood a 10th round selection, and John Stallworth a 4th rounder. In recent years the Steelers got Antonio Brown in the 6th round, Brett Keisel in the 7th round, Anthony Chickillo 6th round, Stephon Tuitt in the 2nd round. So it will be interesting to see who in the 2021 draft will be that hidden gem.

Secondly, right or wrong, Pittsburgh will not always make the most likely selection. In 2004 they drafted Ben Roethlisberger. Some questioned that decision. Well, anyone who thought that ate crow after his first start in 2004. The Selection of Terrell Edmunds seemed peculiar at the time; the Steelers didn’t have a high need for safety. Yet Pittsburgh felt they could not pass up his talent to improve their secondary significantly.

The Steelers’ second selection in the draft Pat Freiermuth illustrates that point. Granted, They took Harris as their number one. With plenty of linebackers and offensive lineman on the board in the 2nd round, that seemed the obvious choice. Then the Steelers snagged the second-highest-rated tight end on the board. With Najee Harris taken in the first round, with four talented wide receivers and a decent tight end, it made sense to give Ben Roethlisberger more offensive weapons, plus he serves as an additional lineman when needed. It’s a win-win for the Steelers. It’s not that they were not looking at tight ends with the retirement of Vance McDonald. Most assumed they might address it with a 4th or 6th round selection.

There will be those who debate the choice of Harris as the first draft choice. Some who really wanted a lineman or a linebacker selected earlier. That said, the Steelers had to look at who was available and select the players that improved the team as a whole. Also, economics came into it; they chose to go with the high-impact player first and draft the needs-based players on a more economical basis. Fans may be pleasantly surprised at how well the Steelers do with the 2021 draft class.