The Steelers have multiple needs to address in the NFL Draft later this month on both sides of the ball.
But as the team emphasizes improvement in the run game and replenishes some of its losses to free agency on defense, there are some needs that fall behind others. One of those that might not be in the mix in the early rounds for Kevin Colbert is tight end.
The Steelers only have Eric Ebron on the roster as a legitimate tight end, which would make finding a backup an interest. However this tight end class is peculiar with the values of the top prospects. The obvious top pick is the explosive Kyle Pitts of Florida, but he will be gone no later than the 12th pick in the first round.
The two tight ends after Pitts in this draft class who would be starter capable are Penn State's Pat Freiermuth and Miami's Brevin Jordan. Both are strong and talented blockers who look like legitimate NFL receiving threats. Freiermuth projects to be selected between the early and middle part of the second round, while Jordan projects o be selected between the late second round or early third round.
The problem with the Steelers picking either would mean reaching where they could use other prospects that would be immediate fits for the Steelers at other positions.
Trading back would put the Steelers in a better position to draft either, but there would still be several players to pick who could become legitimate starters at other positions worth those picks.
Tight ends available later like Notre Dame's Tommy Tremble, Boston College's Hunter Long and Georgia's Tre McKitty range as projected selections from the middle third round to the late fifth round.
That could be the Steelers' sweet spot. A trade could make tight end more an option in the early rounds, but with Ebron on the roster, that might not be the best pick.
YOUR TURN: Should Steelers make tight end a first or second round priority?
