Everyone is aiming for the same few players for the Steelers in the first round, but here are four unlucky candidates to be your primary choice in the NFL Draft.
The past two months have been the same old stories for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to the NFL Draft. Experts are continually making fun of offensive tackles, running backs and centers for Pittsburgh with their 24th overall choice, and occasionally a quarterback is launched. However, history tells us that it may not be the case.
Counting the choice they used to acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers spent their choice in the first round draft on a defensive player for eight consecutive seasons – four of which were used on an internal or external linebacker. While it certainly seems likely that Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert will try to address one of their glaring offensive needs at the start, here are four unlucky candidates who could be the Steelers chosen in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft:
Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
This year, it is really difficult to predict where the top defenders will be chosen, and there is no consensus player number one as there has been in recent years. Jaelan Phillips would have been an infallible choice in the top ten had it not been for the bruise problems that led him to abandon football once. Therefore, Azeez Ojulari of Georgia may be the best forward defender in the class.
At 6’3 ”and just 240 pounds, Ojulari may not be for everyone, but he is perfect for the Steelers as the speed bender in front of TJ Watt. Alex Highsmith had a great debut season, but Ojulari’s talent in a premium position that Pittsburgh covets can get them going in that direction in the first round if he is still on the board.