Steelers GM Kevin Colbert talks about the Steelers draft

Buddy Johnson

Colbert did not expand on Johnson much except that they liked his side-to-side run defending and his ability as a pass defender.

 Isaiahh Loudermilk

Colbert said of Wisconsin defensive end they feel he can do anything Pittsburgh asks of him. He’s a solo technician; he has great athleticism and great length as well. Of course, he is 6’7” and 293 pounds. Which makes him as big, if not bigger, than Greggory Rousseau, 6’7”, 265 pounds drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

Quincy Roche

According to Colbert, one stat, in particular, drove the Steelers to select Roche with their 6th round pick.  His stats statistics. In four college seasons, he had 30.5 sacks. In 2019 he had 13 sacks for temple before transferring to Miami for his final college season. Pittsburgh looks to use Roche on the outside, making him a replacement for Bud Dupree’s loss. Also they Colbert made some comparisons to Alex Highsmith as well. In part as injuries forced Highsmith to play more in his first season than the Steelers anticipated.

Pressley Harvin III

The seventh-round and final draft choice of the Steelers was a punter.  The Steelers did have some turmoil at punter in 2020. They signed Dustin Colquitt as a free agent during the off-season. He started for the Steelers punted in five games, and after the 5th the Steelers game; the Steelers cut him.  They then resigned Jordan Berry. So The Steelers liked the idea of drafting a punter to compete for the starting job. Colbert liked the fact Harvin had won the Ray Guy award. They also like he has a strong leg supplemented by the fact he averaged 44.7 yards per punt in college. In 2020 he had a single season-high of 48 yards per punt. Colbert thinks that Harvin has not reached his full potential as a punter and thinks he can improve and get better.

In short, Colbert’s appearance really gave clear insight into Pittsburgh’s thinking behind the draft choices they made. They like their choices, and it’s evident the Steelers are placing very high hopes on the 2021 draft class.