How does Steelers loss of DeCastro change perception of 2021 draft?

The Steelers releasing DeCastro will be felt by everyone, but no one is more negatively affected by the move than the team’s new rookie running back.

When the Steelers selected Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL draft, the mantra of “fix the running game” that was echoed by Art Rooney at the beginning of the offseason was coming into effect. While upgrading the running back position is key to improving the run game, there is a definite need to bolster an offensive line if a run game truly wants to improve. Unfortunately, the Steelers seem to have put all their eggs in the Harris basket as this line has gotten notably worse so far.

With the recent release of David DeCastro, the Steelers line is now made up of four new starters. While Kevin Dotson and Zach Banner have shown flashes and project as solid road graders, Chukwuma Okorafor, Trai Turner, and whoever starts at center are obvious downgrades from the line last year. This makes some of the decisions this team made baffling.

For starters, the Steelers could have signed a more competent center in free agency. While I love the redemption story B.J. Finney has going for him in 2021, there were far better centers that still signed for cheap. A name that instantly jumps to mind is Nick Martin, but they’re quite a few centers that only signed for a few million or less this offseason. Getting a better option there would have opened the door for more flexibility in the draft.

What were the Steelers’ draft plans?

Heading into the draft, the fanbase seemed content to focus on the center position and a developmental offensive tackle in order to rebuild the line. That said if DeCastro was having these issues, ignoring the guard position was a mistake. In the first round, Landon Dickerson would have made so much sense given his versatility on the inside. While his injury concerns were there, the team was reportedly high on Dickerson heading into the draft.

The selection of Pat Freiermuth in the second also has to come into question as well. While he was a good value pick there, with such a need on the line at every level, passing on one of the top centers in Creed Humphry has to be called into question. Even going after a Jalen Mayfield or Wyatt Davis, both just pure guard prospects, would have better prepared this team for life after DeCastro.

Even third-round pick Kendrick Green is a question mark. While he played guard in college, his lack of size makes him a center only at the next level. Also available on the board was Quinn Meinerz, the small school prospect that has more center and guard flexibility as a pro due to his better size.

In no way is this a critique of the draft either, as I believe each of those top three picks can find success at the NFL level. The issue is, what was the Steelers thought process during the draft? Sure, you get your bell-cow in Harris in the first, but what kind of line is going to be blocking for him? Harris is a supreme talent, but he also benefited from running behind the best line in college football. He won’t have that luxury now, as the Steelers line is decimated.

It’s hard to understand how the Steelers fixed the running game this offseason. Yes, Harris is a major upgrade at running back, but this line is in no way better than it was last season. The run game should improve on paper at least, but that is due more to the team focusing on the run game in the offensive game plan as opposed to this unit having better players in the scheme. The Steelers’ goal was to fix the run game this offseason. Now, we will see what is truly more important to a run game: a top-level running back or a beefed-up offensive line.