NFL Draft Guide 2021: Who Steelers might pick, position breakdowns, mock drafts
This year’s NFL Draft is taking steps to get back to normal but with plenty of precautions because of covid-19.
The 2020 draft went entirely virtual because of the covid-19 pandemic that was just starting to gain traction in the U.S. But with more people receiving their vaccines, some fans will be allowed at this year’s draft in Cleveland.
The outdoor event expects to draw up to 50,000 fans a day. Those within 100 yards of the stage will have to provide proof of vaccination, too.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have eight overall picks, starting with the 24th in the first round. Here’s what the team has:
• Round 1, selection 24
• Round 2, selection 55
• Round 3, selection 87
• Round 4, selection 128
• Round 4, selection 140 (compensatory pick)
• Round 6, selection 216 (from Buccaneers, acquired in Jerald Hawkins deal)
• Round 7, selection 245 (from Dolphins, acquired in Minkah Fitzpatrick deal)
• Round 7, selection 254 (from Ravens, acquired in Chris Wormley deal)
Tribune-Review sports writers Joe Rutter, Chris Adamski and Tim Benz have dug into what the Steelers are looking for in the 2021 NFL Draft. They also looked at all the top players available at each position and also put together who they think the Steelers will take. (See the stories below.)
The 2021 NFL Draft kicks off at 8 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. It will also stream on the ESPN and NFL Mobile apps. Follow @tribjoerutter, @C_AdamskiTrib and @TimBenzPGH on Twitter for live coverage of the draft.
Mock draft
• Joe Rutter’s mock draft: Steelers will play it by the book, take RB, C early
The Tribune-Review’s Joe Rutter thinks the Steelers will be conservative with their picks, trying to improve their running game.
• Chris Adamski’s mock draft: After years of misses in mid rounds, Steelers go RB in 1st
The Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski says the Steelers have resisted the urge to take a running back with a high pick, but this year could be the time for a change.
Here is a positional breakdown of the NFL Draft:
Quarterback
• Quarterbacks will command spotlight early in NFL Draft
The most important position on the football field understandably and justifiably will gain most of the attention at the top of the NFL Draft. For the first time since 1999, quarterbacks are expected to be taken with the first three picks.
Listen: Steelers’ plan at QB; running back they can’t ignore in Round 1
Running back
• Steelers place emphasis on improving running game in NFL Draft
Several moves this offseason show how serious the Steelers are about not maintaining the status quo at running back. And if recent history is an indication, the Steelers will have a choice of the top running backs when they make their first pick.
Wide receiver
• Wide receiver draft class could be deeper than 2020 group that included Steelers’ Chase Claypool
As bountiful as the Class of 2020 was for pass catchers, this year’s contingent may be just as deep. And talented. “If you’re looking for a wide receiver, there are a ton of them,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “It’s a really good group.”
Listen: Potential Steelers replacements for Vance McDonald; wild wide receiver depth
Tight end
• Thin tight end class awaits Steelers in NFL Draft
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Steelers have veteran Eric Ebron entering his second season with the organization. He is entrenched as the starter with a little-known cast of characters behind him on the offseason roster.
Offensive guard/center
• Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement makes center a priority in NFL Draft
Based on numerous factors — age, declining skills and statistics, and a late-season fade among them — changes were expected along the Steelers’ offensive line in the offseason. Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement put his position front and, well, center.
Listen: Stocked group of offensive linemen will test Steelers’ faith in current depth chart
Offensive tackle
• Deep tackle class plays into Steelers’ hands in NFL Draft
When the Steelers open the 2021 season, only David DeCastro is guaranteed to remain from a group that was intact as recently as two years ago. That means the Steelers need reinforcements — and perhaps even immediate contributors — at tackle.
Inside linebacker
• Penn State’s Micah Parsons represents head of inside linebacker draft class
When the NFL Draft kicks off, it could evoke memories from two years ago in terms of the inside linebacker class. Two years ago, Devin White and Devin Bush were the consensus top two linebackers, and Penn State’s Micah Parsons and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are the only bona fide first-rounders on the board this year.
Listen: Depth of talent at inside or outside linebacker could tempt Steelers
Outside linebacker
• Outside linebacker class carries plenty of question marks into NFL Draft
Given that their biggest free agent loss was at outside linebacker, it’s not a matter of if the Steelers will select a pass rusher in the NFL Draft. It’s how soon and, possibly, how many.
Defensive line
• Given depth at defensive line, Steelers have little need to address position in NFL Draft
It’s a good thing for the Steelers that they are deep in the defensive trench because this year’s draft class for tackle and interior prospects is considered one of the worst in recent memory.
Safety
• Steelers could find depth in safety draft class lacking high-end talent
For the first time since 2011, no safeties were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft last spring. Are you ready for an encore?
Cornerback
• Deep cornerback class gives chance for Steelers to buck recent draft history
It was just a year ago that the Steelers boasted one of the deepest cornerback groups in the NFL. Now, the Steelers could be tasked with using another high-round pick on a cornerback in this year’s draft.
Listen: With depth thinned, cornerback again among needs for Steelers
More coverage
• Kevin Colbert says NFL Draft is ‘wide open’ for Steelers in 1st round
Factoring in the changes along the offensive line, a left tackle or center could be a priority for the Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Just don’t ask general manager Kevin Colbert to tip his hand before that pick is submitted to the league office.
Here’s hoping the Steelers don’t overthink their first-round pick in this year’s draft.
• Tim Benz: Best case yet for Kevin Colbert to draft a RB in 1st round … from Colbert himself
Steelers fans who want to see the franchise draft a running back in the first round this week got a mixed bag of smoke signals in the annual pre-draft news conference with coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert.
• Restricted access, limited information all part of this year’s draft process for Steelers
Meetings were held virtually. Attendance on college campus was limited to game days. The NFL Combine was canceled. “It’s been a real different, challenging kind of a road,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said.
With no NFL Combine in 2021 due to coronavirus concerns, teams have had to be more diligent when it comes to getting medical information on players.
• Mark Madden: Steelers have more immediate draft needs than quarterback
The Steelers shouldn’t draft a quarterback. Their draft resources should all be used on talent that can help immediately.
• Returning Steelers should help team’s decision-making during NFL Draft
Whatever impact the return of players like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Vince Williams have on the immediate outcome of 2021 is likely to be less than what their impact will be on the franchise’s strategy in the upcoming NFL Draft.
• Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick history
The Steelers have drafted as many players from Duquesne as Penn State in the first round. A look at every player selected in the first round by the Steelers.
• Pittsburgh Steelers compensatory draft pick history
The Steelers have been awarded 35 compensatory draft picks in the 27 years that the NFL has been handing them out, with the choices ranging from players who never made the NFL to one Pro Football Hall of Fame hopeful.
• The famous and the flops: Best and worst NFL 1st-round picks
The Associated Press looks at the best and worst first-round draft picks for every NFL team.
• Pitt players eagerly await NFL Draft weekend
Will all 10 Pitt players who worked out at the team’s pro day get drafted? Highly unlikely. But if five get their names called, it will be one of largest group of Pitt players drafted by the NFL.
• FCS draft prospects generally opted to not play this spring
There’s a common thread linking most of the Football Championship Subdivision players who expect to hear their name called in the NFL draft: They didn’t participate in their schools’ pandemic-delayed spring season.
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.
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