When it comes to recruiting for the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers often declare that they have a “best available player” policy, rather than looking for a specific position. While some of your choices at the top of the draft seemed to go against that statement, the Steelers are probably better off adding “in a position of need” to make it a little more accurate.
But is there any position that is not really needed where the Steelers can look for an update on this project?
Personally, I think there are two positions in the 2021 draft in which the Steelers could invest a high draft choice or simply choose not to address the position. I call it my “go big or go home” positions, where if the Steelers are really going to catch up, they should make a big move. In other words, investing a draft choice from the middle to the end round that could get lost in the scramble may not be the best course of action.
So here are my two positions where I feel the Steelers should “grow up or go home” in the 2021 draft of the NFL. There is a position on each side of the ball.
Quarterback
With Ben Roethlisberger returning for the 2021 season, the Steelers have no obvious plan for the future as a defender. Although the Steelers don’t have to find their next franchise defender in the 2021 draft, if they feel they have that player in mind, they must pull the trigger.
While some brought up the idea of making a flyer in a quarterback in the middle of the round to see if they could find someone who is the next Dak Prescott or Russel Wilson, the Steelers have already taken their flyer on this type of player this offseason. Even though he was a first-round pick, the Steelers seeing whether they found a jewel with some kind of Dwayne Haskins resurgence is essentially covering the same need.
If the Steelers happen to have a player they believe to be a quarterback in the franchise and reach a position where they feel they can climb up to catch him, or maybe even make him fall to pick 24, then they should do that. Just choosing someone to increase the position, is it really worth it if that person is not the long-term solution?
Internal linebacker
The Steelers currently have four players hired to play as a linebacker in 2021. Devin Bush returns from his ACL injury at the end of the season and Vince Williams is entering the final year of his contract. Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen signed their proposals for an Exclusive Rights-Free Agent.
So, do Steelers need another internal linebacker? They would most likely be able to survive on what they have for the 2021 season. And, although it doesn’t seem like a position of necessity, if the right player was available in the draft to step in and change the Steelers philosophy in the position of internal linebacker alongside Devin Bush, it would be extremely difficult to pass. If the Steelers added another Bush-type linebacker, the way they handle their position in the future could change forever. Or the Steelers could continue with the players they already have and not even address the position in 2021.
Therefore, there are two positions in which I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers should “grow or return home” during the 2021 draft of the NFL. Of course, as the free agency has not yet started, these positions may change if the Steelers add another player or choose to reduce their squad to save money against the salary cap.
Although the Steelers have a number of needs that are likely to meet in the NFL draft, those needs may change due to the approaching free agent market. In addition, many have added the phrase “but not in the first round” to many positions that the Steelers will try to add. In that case, Steelers could go beyond the box and decide to grow in one of these two positions. Otherwise, it may not be in your best interest to simply use a three-day choice.