3 Bold Predictions for the Steelers in the NFL Draft
By Brady Williams
In last year's draft, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert gave up a small fortune to get Devin Bush to Pittsburgh. This year, plenty of fans and analysts are expecting the tean to play it cool and refrain from such headline-stealing moves, but might be staying put in the earlier rounds, that doesn't mean they won't generate a different kind of intrigue this time around before the weekend is done.
1. They Don't Beef Up Their Offensive Line
The draft is the perfect place to pick up an offensive lineman, as the free agent market tends to hit the pocketbook hard. The Steelers could use some help up front to protected aging and battered quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, with limited draft capital -- they've got no first-round pick -- and some decent linebackers available in the later rounds, the o-line may fall by the wayside. The addition of Stefen Wisniewski in the offseason should make them a little more comfortable with that decision, but not in the eyes of every critic.
2. Passing on Jalen Hurts in Round 2 for Receiver...
After giving up their first-round pick in their trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers are in an odd spot with pick No. 49. However, a number of analysts believe it could be a perfect spot for the Steelers to get Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts and finally find their Big Ben successor. Despite the headlines they'd grab in taking Hurts 49th, instead giving Roethlisberger another weapon would signal they're still in "win now" mode. With that in mind, they'll need someone like TCU's Jalen Reagor.
3. ...And Getting Him Anyway in the 3rd Round
That's right, the Steelers are still going to get Hurts anyway. With COVID-19 and shaking up the typical scouting process, nearly every quarterback except for Joe Burrow is at risk of taking a tumble, and its likely that none will suffer from this more than Hurts. Betting experts and talent evaluators generally projected the OU star would go in the third round when the offseason began, but he managed to climb back up on a lot of boards. However, if and when guys like Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert slip a few spots, it will create a cascading effect that could see Hurts falling right in Pittsburgh's lap in Round 3.