With the 2020 NFL Season coming to an end, all eyes will be on how the 2021 off-season will unfold. Unfortunately, we are one of many teams who get a head start on the off-season activities, due to being eliminated in the playoffs, but that's besides the point. We have already seen some minor moves take place throughout the NFL, giving fans much to look forward to as we look towards the beginning of the fun.
We have already heard the rumors of top notch NFL quarterbacks being on the move, moving from one team to another, something this league will never get used to. It goes without saying that the NFL will look a lot different next year than it did this past year, with so many new NFL polarizing figures being on new teams officially starting next week. Like most of you already know, the Pittsburgh Steelers like to make a name for themselves by drafting players, making them "homegrown" talent and building their leaders from the ground up. While the Steelers might dabble in the free agency market here and there, the NFL draft is where the Steelers thrive and it's safe to say that the same will be said for this upcoming season.
The exciting moves to make are the moves that involve the playmakers. Drafting the wide receiver or running back in the first round over the "big uglies" if you will. In some scenarios, teams will pick the player over the need -- which can work in some situations, but can lead to an unhealthy pairing in the future. Not to say this will happen, the Steelers have a need on the offensive side of the ball in two obvious areas, running back and offensive line. There may be needs to fill in other areas for the upcoming year, but those, to me, are the most prevalent. The direction in which the Steelers will go is still up in the air. it could be in the teams best interest to look in these position's direction.
That being said, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Pittsburgh's interest in a running back during this year's draft. All of that hype could be true, the need for a running back in the black and gold has to be one of the team's top priorities. But what about the guys who block for him? In my opinion, while I wouldn't be mad if the Steelers were able to select RB Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama or RB Travis Etienne out of Clemson University, both playmakers are solid backs who can carry the load for a team throughout the year, which is exactly what Pittsburgh is looking for to pair along side Benny Snell Jr. with the possible loss of James Conner to free agency.
We need to establish the offensive line FIRST, before we go looking for players to create plays after the line gets their initial push. The Steelers have made their interest known in an offensive tackle in the 2021 draft. Many mock drafts have them selecting either pair of those RB's or using their first round selection on an offensive tackle. The team has been paired with Oklahoma State University OT Teven Jenkins as well as OT Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama University, both would be solid fits to replace OT Alejandro Villanueva, who is scheduled to be a free agent this off-season. Either would be alongside OG David DeCastro, OG Kevin Dotson and hopefully Ben Roethlisberger will be able to convince center Maurkice Pouncey to come back for what we think might be the two's final season together.
Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph (2) and Teven Jenkins (73) walk of the field after a Rudolph interception late in the fourth quarter during a college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Although not flashy, you really can't be mad either way. The one thing that can't be denied is the fact that this offense will be getting a whole new look on the offensive line, pairing that with hopefully a new RB to stand behind Roethlisberger. It is up to the Steelers to prioritize which position is needed more in the long run.
Would you eraft OL or RB with our 1st round selection? Let me know in the comment section below!
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