By G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have a draft pick, that didn't mean the first day of the 2020 NFL Draft wasn't going to be entertaining. We started the night with a moving rendition of the National Anthem by Harry Connick Jr. on piano while highlighting the medical workers risking their lives during this pandemic.
My MVP of the night was Suzy Kolber's hair. I understand we have to do our own hair during social distancing, but I loved both your crazy, frizzed out hairdo, while still pulling off great interviews with Joe Burrow and Jordan Love. I had to cut my own hair today as well. I feel your pain.
Mistakes are going to happen during this broadcast, with most of the reporters in different cities. Awkward pauses occurred, but the most awkward thing of the night was NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attempting to humanize himself. People booing you isn't a joke Rog, fans genuinely dislike you. Like when you fail to punish the New England Patriots for stealing signs at a Cincinnati Bengals game, when the MLB blows up a front office for the same offense, your shtick comes off as disingenuous.
As the night went on, Roger's eyes got redder and redder, he had to change his clothes, but he couldn't hide the fact that his voice started to slur after pick 15. Perhaps calling every pick of the draft in your own home, close to your private bar, was a bad choice for the face of the league?
Miami got to the 18th pick of the draft, which is the one they received when the Steelers acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, and they selected offensive tackle Austin Jackson from USC. The interesting thing about this pick is both of our resident draft gurus Matt Papiernik and CJ Lester both picked Jackson as the 53rd best player in this draft. On their top 115 prospect sheet, he slotted in at the exact slot the Steelers would be picking at 49. View the updated big board here. So the Steelers ended up getting an All Pro safety a year early, while the Dolphins picked up a player that could have been there when we picked in the 2nd round.
It took the last pick of the first round by Kansas City for the first running back to come off of the board. No safeties were taken in the first. There is a lot of value at edge, offensive line, wide receiver, safety, and running back, so it will be interesting to see which way the Steelers go for their first pick. One thing is for certain, there will be a good player there, and hopefully that player will be able to make an immediate impact this upcoming season.
Who do you think the Steelers will target with their first pick?
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