It's finally here.

While there was a lot of talk about what the Steelers did or didn't do in the offseason, their main means of acquiring players, the NFL Draft, will finally take place this weekend.

The draft itself will be held in Cleveland, but the Steelers' brass will be hunkered down at the UPMC-Rooney Sports Complex to make the picks -- something they couldn't do a year ago when the draft was held virtually. But, unlike last year, when the team had the opportunity to take part in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, this year, teams didn't even have that.

Things are beginning to open back up after being shut down because of the global pandemic. But the scouting of prospects was far different this year.

"We've had to be more mobile. We've had to work harder to gather information, working along with Kevin (Colbert) and the scouting department has been a pleasure in that regard," said Mike Tomlin. "The number of Zoom calls and things that we've had with prospects, when you look back at it is really impressive."

It will only be truly impressive for fans once all the picks are in the fold on Saturday evening. And it will be interesting to see if there's a change in what the team is looking for with new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

The Steelers have eight picks in this draft, including the 24th selection in the first round. They don't have a fifth-round selection. But here's a complete rundown of their picks.

Round 1, pick 24
Round 2, pick 55
Round 3, pick 87
Round 4, pick 128
Round 4, pick 140 (compensatory)
Round 6, pick 216
Round 7, pick 245
Round 7, pick 254

It should be enough picks to fill many of the team's needs, a running back, center, cornerback, outside linebacker and inside linebacker, while also providing the option to take a pick at one of the draft's deeper positions, offensive tackle, as well.

"There is good depth we believe on the offensive line, the wide receivers, the running backs, the linebackers both inside and outside and the corners," said Colbert. "There is okay depth at the tight end, the quarterback, and the safety positions, and I can be very up front and honest, there's very limited depth in this year's draft on the defensive line. It's probably as lean as it's been in recent memory. Again, we always get asked about trade up, trade down. I'm very doubtful that we'll trade up. We really value those eight picks that we have, five of which are in the top 140."

The Steelers would be happy with a similar haul to what they got in 2020 despite not having a first-round pick. That was traded to the Dolphins as part of the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal. Despite that, the Steelers acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool in the second round, linebacker Alex Highsmith in the third round and guard Kevin Dotson in the fourth round. All will be starters in 2021 and played plenty of snaps as rookies.

The Steelers need that kind of impact, especially after losing outside linebacker Bud Dupree and running back James Conner in free agency and center Maurkice Pouncey to retirement.

While Highsmith is expected to fill Dupree's spot, the Steelers don't really have true starters at running back or center. Because of that, many prognosticators have them zeroing in on running backs and centers in the draft.

Adding players at those two positions also could help the Steelers fix their No. 1 issue of the offseason, their running game, which ranked dead last in the NFL in 2020.

"Let's be clear, the improvements in the running game go beyond just the acquisition of additional players," Tomlin said. "We're capable of performing better than we have, players aside. Schematics, formations, the things that we do to give ourselves a strategic advantage need to be improved, and that's some of the things that we're working on."

Because of that, the Steelers made changes at both offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Out are Randy Fichtner and Shaun Sarrett. In are Canada and Adrian Klemm.

Canada's offenses in the past have featured plenty of pre-snap motion and misdirection. But while the schematic changes could come quickly, the Steelers will only be able to acquire a limited number of players who fit that style of offense.

"Coach and I have talked about that with Matt taking over: Will we be looking at different players differently?" Colbert said. "Coach is always going to talk about what we have and what they can adapt to do what we currently have. Maybe as we get down the road in the future, and we’re deciding on a wide receiver type or a running back type or a quarterback type or an offensive lineman, we may shift as we evolve and learn what coach Canada’s offense is about. We saw it work in the college ranks, and we saw what kind of players he used in different roles. 

"Can we adjust to that as we go on? Yeah. Will we adjust immediately? No. I know coach Tomlin will do what our players can do the best under coach Canada’s offense and the schematics that he puts together. Over time, I think we can adjust it. But right out of the gate, it’s hard to make those kind of adjustments."

A large part of those adjustments will be on display this weekend.

Loading...
Loading...