Steelers could maintain streak of drafting receivers with their second pick

The Steelers have taken a large receiver within the second draft selection in 4 straight years. Right here’s why that streak might proceed in 2021. 

You’d be hard-pressed to discover a workforce within the NFL that has taken the very same place with their second draft selection in every of the previous 4 NFL Drafts. Nonetheless, the Steelers have managed to do precisely that. In the case of broad receivers, apparently you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient and Pittsburgh hasn’t shied away from spending a day-two decide on the place every of the previous 4 years

Beginning with JuJu Smith-Schuster again in 2017, the Steelers have taken 4 straight broad receivers with their second choice annually since (the others being James Washington, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool). Although Johnson was technically an early third-round draft selection, he was nonetheless Pittsburgh’s second decide within the 2019 NFL Draft.

Clearly, the Steelers place a excessive emphasis on this place. Because of this, they’re extensively thought-about to be among the finest groups within the league at analysis, drafting, and creating broad receivers. Chase Claypool seems to be the newest success story of this after an outstanding rookie season that included 13 complete touchdowns (together with the playoff recreation towards the Browns).

May Steelers maintain the streak going?

You’d assume that after investing a lot of their broad receivers over the previous 4 years that Pittsburgh would give it a break within the 2021 NFL Draft. Nonetheless, I’d be shocked if that was the case. In truth, there may be loads of motive to imagine they might goal the place but once more as early because the second spherical.

Although there have been rumors that he wish to stick round in Pittsburgh, JuJu Smith-Schuster goes to be sporting a distinct uniform subsequent fall. In the meantime, James Washington might be getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, whereas Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald every have one 12 months remaining and are topic to being let go this offseason.

Although tight finish actually looks like a way more urgent space of want in the meanwhile, it’s a fairly weak tight finish class, and there is probably not a participant accessible that’s value Pittsburgh drafting with both of their first two picks this 12 months. That is probably not the case at broad receiver.

Whereas this receiver class isn’t wherever near the historic group we noticed come out final 12 months, there seems to be to be a handful of high quality second-round choices with gamers like Rondale Moore, Kadarius Toney, Terrance Marshall Jr., Elijah Moore, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In truth, there’s a likelihood {that a} broad receiver could possibly be the most effective accessible place when Pittsburgh is choosing at decide 56 in spherical two.

With the intention to preserve the specter of the passing assault, the Steelers might but once more look to dip into this place with their second decide within the 2021 NFL Draft. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool could possibly be candidates that stick round for the lengthy haul, however depth at broad receiver has at all times been extraordinarily necessary to Pittsburgh. Don’t be shocked in the event that they maintain this broad receiver streak going.