2021 NFL draft: Updated Steelers draft needs

[hawaiiansteel]

2021 NFL draft: Updated Steelers draft needs

Curt Popejoy
October 28, 2020

The 2020 NFL season is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers and things did not go according to plan. After an 11-game winning streak to start the season, Pittsburgh sputtered down the stretch going 1-4 before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs. This locked their first-round pick in at No. 24 overall.

The Steelers currently have $11 million in cap space but will start the 2021 offseason over $21 million in negative. This means when it comes to all those free agents, there just won’t be enough room to bring most of them back. This means the 2021 NFL draft is going to be the primary part of this team’s rebuild after the 2020 season.

Here are our updated 2021 NFL draft needs in order of importance.

1-Offensive tackle

Alejandro Villanueva, Zach Banner, Jerald Hawkins and Derwin Gray are all free agents next offseason. The Steelers need to get an elite left tackle prospect in this draft is possible.

2. Outside linebacker

The Steelers stand to lose Bud Dupree in free agency and even if Alex Highsmith or Ola Adeniyi are ready to step in, filling in behind them is a top priority.

3-Interior offensive line

Matt Feiler is set to hit free agency, Maurkice Pouncey will be 32 and David DeCastro will be 31 next season, Kevin Dotson has a bright future but if Feiler leaves the Steelers must focus on a guard/center in the middle rounds.

4-Running back

If the Steelers cannot re-sign James Conner, this need moves up significantly but if they do, adding an additional back is mostly just a luxury if a player drops to them.

5-Defensive line

The Steelers depth at defensive line beyond Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt is average and Tyson Alualu is going to be 34 years old never year. Don’t be shocked if the Steelers draft defensive line help even sooner than this.

6-Cornerback

The loss of Mike Hilton is going to be huge for this defense. I’m not sold on Cameron Sutton or Justin Layne as the answer and this is even bigger if either have to sub in for Joe Haden or Steven Nelson.

7-Quarterback

Right now I am keeping quarterback low on the list of needs for the Steelers because of how well Ben Roethlisberger is playing. It is in no way an endorsement of Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs.

8-Wide receiver

I’m honestly ok with the Steelers wide receiver depth chart if JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves in free agency and leaves Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington as the top three. Nevertheless, the Steelers are great at finding mid-round guys and that’s why we don’t have the need higher.

9-Tight end

The Steelers are in good shape at tight end with Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald but beyond them, there is nothing to get excited about. As great as it would be to see the Steelers draft a top tight end next draft to groom we put need this low because it isn’t a very Steelers thing to do.

10-Inside linebacker

11-Safety

Another luxury pick here, the Steelers don’t really need a safety in the draft but if an athletic project guy drops to them, I can see them adding to the roster.

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/li...l-draft-needs/

[Northern_Blitz]

I think this is reasonable.

I'd probably move TE up because I don't think we'll keep both (either?) Ebron and McDonald and our depth really sucks.

I'd also move OLB down. We do need depth, but I think Watt and Highsmith are our starters next season.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Projected To Receive 4th And 6th Compensatory Picks For 2021 Draft

By Alex Kozora
Posted on January 19, 2021

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/st...or-2021-draft/

[Northern_Blitz]

Steelers Projected To Receive 4th And 6th Compensatory Picks For 2021 Draft

By Alex Kozora
Posted on January 19, 2021

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/st...or-2021-draft/

I think the draft should be interesting this year.

Less college football and less scouting might mean that we look back at this year as one where more guys fell and / or more guys were drafted too high.

Seems like a draft where having more picks / lottery tickets is a good thing (even more so than usual).

[whatever]

We don’t draft for need. Always bpa. So I’ve heard.

[hawaiiansteel]

We don’t draft for need. Always bpa. So I’ve heard.

well you heard wrong then.

Jarvis Jones and Troy Edwards were results of us reaching for a position.

[Northern_Blitz]

We don’t draft for need. Always bpa. So I’ve heard.

Does anyone say this?

I think we generally shore up immediate needs with cheap UFAs and then take the best player at one of a few positions.

[hawaiiansteel]

We don’t draft for need. Always bpa. So I’ve heard.

another troll post.

[whatever]

Does anyone say this?

I think we generally shore up immediate needs with cheap UFAs and then take the best player at one of a few positions.

It used to be said by a lot of posters here. For some reason they think the steelers draft different than every other team and that makes them feel better about the organization. A few still do.
After being proven wrong, the last few years, now they say it’s ‘bpa at a position of need’.

[Iron City Inc.]

Without a top notch QB you just can't win in this league. I hate to trade up but if there is a QB we love Smith or Lance or whoever it has to be considered. It shouldn't break the bank to go from 24 to say 12. The ride is over for 7 and the sooner the organization makes the decision to move on the better.
MR imho is not the answer. Play Dobbs n try to recover a draft pick for MR even a mid rounder. When the rook is ready he's ready even if it's a year.