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Michael Ainsworth/Related Press
The Pittsburgh Steelers have quite a lot of work to do within the 2021 NFL draft.
Free company got here with restricted choices to really enhancing the staff on the sphere. With little salary-cap area and several other key gamers on expiring contracts, the Steelers had been pressured to select and select who they’d retain and who would signal elsewhere.
General, they did a very good job of doing what they might. Getting Ben Roethlisberger on a restructured deal was an enormous win, bringing again JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal retains a deep receiving corps collectively, and so they had been nonetheless in a position to maintain on to a couple key defenders, together with Cameron Sutton and Tyson Alualu.
There’s nonetheless loads of positions that may very well be strengthened via the draft, although. Whereas they’d love to have the ability to merely take the very best participant obtainable, there are a couple of spots the place they’d be higher off so as to add an thrilling rookie into the combo.
With one choose in every of the primary three rounds, here is a have a look at the positions that needs to be getting probably the most consideration.
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Kentucky linebacker Jamin DavisBryan Woolston/Related Press
Robert Spillane stepped in admirably when Devin Bush Jr. went down for the season with a torn ACL. The previous particular teamer got here in and made 45 tackles with two sacks and 4 passes defended in seven begins.
The 2 inside linebacker spots had been primarily crammed by Avery Williamson after the Steelers traded for him on the deadline, Spillane and Vince Williams. Now Williamson is a free agent and Williams has been launched by the staff.
That leaves a (hopefully) recovered Bush and Spillane as the one viable choices on the within. Spillane is a feel-good story and stepped up when he was wanted most, however he leaves loads to be desired as a plan transferring ahead.
That ought to belong to an off-ball linebacker the staff acquired via the draft.
They do not have to make use of a first-rounder to deal with it. However there are alternatives who needs to be thought-about within the third spherical like Kentucky’s Jamin Davis, who’s the type of lengthy, athletic prospect who may pair up with the rangy Bush within the center.
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Texas offensive deal with Samuel CosmiMichael Ainsworth/Related Press
Alejandro Villanueva may not have had his finest season in 2020, however he nonetheless graded out because the 28th-best tackle by Professional Soccer Focus. If the Steelers do not get important enchancment from Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor subsequent season, they’ll know the ache of subpar play at deal with.
It is not an issue the Steelers are giving them an opportunity to show they’ll play. Okorafor was ranked 70th of 79 tackles graded by PFF final season, however he is solely 23 years previous. There’s an opportunity he may nonetheless see large enchancment.
Zach Banner is an excellent larger wild card, although. He has solely performed 302 snaps in his profession. Whereas the hulking deal with has the dimensions at 6’8″ and 360 kilos to be a difference-maker, there is not loads to go on.
The Steelers could be smart so as to add one other deal with via the draft, doubtlessly with their first choose at No. 24. After shedding Matt Feiler and Villanueva in free company, each deal with positions needs to be thought-about open for competitors.
Christian Darrisaw, Teven Jenkins or Liam Eichenberg may all garner consideration if obtainable. The second and third rounds may present alternatives as nicely. This class is comparatively deep at deal with as prospects resembling Brady Christensen, Samuel Cosmi and Alex Leatherwood may all be starters however slide to the Steelers’ later picks.
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Clemson operating again Travis EtienneRelated Press
Early operating again choices are divisive from a worth standpoint, but when there is a staff that needs to be trying to pull the set off early, it is the Steelers. No staff was extra reliant on their passing sport than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That is tremendous when you’ve got a chief Ben Roethlisberger throwing the ball round. They do not, although.
If Roethlisberger is to hold this offense into the postseason yet one more time, they’ve to assist him with a greater operating sport. The Steelers had been useless final in dashing at 3.6 yards per keep it up simply 373 makes an attempt final season.
Shedding James Conner and changing him with a committee of Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. is not going to assist that.
The Steelers want one of many dynamic operating backs who’re anticipated to go within the first two rounds to maximise the offense. That would come with Travis Etienne, Najee Harris or Javonte Williams.
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