When it comes to the Steelers, I’m always reminded of the NFL Draft. For a team who have always been determined to put together a winning formula, the draft is a matter of life or death. While I’m not a die hard Steelers fan, I can certainly appreciate why the big event means so much to the team and it’s supporters.
This year’s edition of the draft has particular importance for the Steelers. They’ve just gone through a mini-rebuild which featured getting rid of stars such as Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell, and their drafts in recent years have been underwhelming, to put it kindly.
They’ll be looking to land an impactful player at the tenth overall pick, and with the standout talent available they should be able to do just that. I truly think they need to focus on the receiving core, their quarterback has the arm but needs targets. What better way to do that than land Tee Higgins or Justin Jefferson? Those guys possess an x-factor that would help take the Steelers to the next level.
The linebacker core also needs an upgrade since star pro-bowlers such as Johnny Williams and Bud Dupree have departed in the off-season. Luckily there are some excellent draft options in the form of Kenneth Murray, Patrick Queen and Isaiah Simmons. Any of those three would be more than enough to help elevate the Steelers’ defense in which last year was too often lagging behind.
I’m also a fan of the management’s decision to address the offensive line with their second round pick. I think they could benefit from the selection of Mekhi Becton, who despite his 6’7″ 375lbs frame still clocked in the 40 yard dash in an astonishing 5.11. And if they want to go a bit smaller, then they could always opt for Josh Jones, a first-round talent who’s stock dropped due to his concerns about the offseason.
With the third round pick I can see the Steelers going after another receiver, perhaps Denzel Mims or Chase Claypool. Mims was viewed as the number one wide-out heading into the draft, and he has the potential to be a superstar in the right system. Claypool on the other hand offers a deep threat that would be welcomed by the Steelers’ current receiving core, and he could also prove to be an excellent compliment to Mims.
The fourth and fifth round promises to be a fascinating watch for any Steelers fan. With a need to sort out the cornerback spot, as well as their pass-rush and running back, they have a number of holes that need filling. It’d be great to see them take a chance on a quarterback too, it may not be roller-coaster ride as last year but it’d certainly provide some drama.
Heck, the sixth round could provide some interesting alternatives for the Steelers. With a number of pass-catchers and defenders available, they could fill in some of the gaps that made their team struggle last year. All that said, I’m not a professional scout so who am I to speculate?
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Folks, I can hardly contain my excitement! This NFL Draft promises to be particularly action-packed for the Steelers, who will be reimagining themselves and building back up from the ashes of the past two years.
Their first round pick will be the tenth one, and I truly believe the board will be stacked with talent. With wideout and defensive picks high priority, I’m thinking they’ll go after Tee Higgins and Kenneth Murray respectively. Higgins is lethal and dynamic, making the yards he needs to get those explosive plays going, whilst Murray is an incredible tackler with the speed to make an instant impact.
There’s also the second and third round picks to consider. Not many are talking about them, but those too will be pivotal. For the O-Line I’m stumping for Becton and Jones, who both have the size and the agility required to be outstanding blockers. As for the receiving core, I’ll go out on a limb and say Denzel Mims and Chase Claypool will be taken here, two of the most explosive pass-catchers in this draft.
Finally, pupils wide open in anticipation of the fourth, fifth and sixth round, where, let’s be honest, this is where Steelers will truly know whether they’re a winning team. Defensive end, cornerback and running back needs to be filled, and the prospect of a late round QB; it’s enough to set the pulse racing of any Steelers fan!
Speaking of which, this year’s draft class promises to be one of the most curious ones in recent memory, and may even be funnily enough, the deciding factor for deciding on the next ‘Super Bowl Champion’. Let’s see what the Steelers can muster up to make their dream a reality!