I don't do predictions, so I wouldn't, even in a common circumstance, have much to offer that'd be of use to most on this NFL Draft Day. Because all anyone would want to know here is who the Steelers will -- or even might -- take with the No. 21 overall pick tonight.
And it's like this: They don't even want the pick.
At least that's the vibe I got from both Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin in covering their press conference a couple days ago on the South Side, and I didn't exactly have to dig deep to find it. They spoke not once, not twice but three times about trading the pick, and they made plain -- plainer, in fact, than I'd ever heard anyone with the team do -- that the preferred direction would be downward, possibly all the way into Day 2.
It's like, OK, we get it. The class isn't great, the players in that range aren't the right fit, or both, and it'd be smarter in their eyes, to exchange a little quality for a little more quantity.
That said ...
I'll reiterate that the only actual inside information I've received on the draft front is that management's determined to emerge with a running back. And a real running back at that, not a kick returner posing as one.
Beyond that, one needs only to look at the various pre-draft patterns of Khan, Tomlin, Andy Weidl and everyone else who attended combines, pro days, dinners, visits and all that to see that, yeah, if there's a quarterback they like after the first round, they might bite. And yeah, if there's someone in the best-player-available category who falls, they'll seize that.
But let's get real here, my friends.
Let's remember that we're talking about the Steelers here. And Tomlin. And it's been five straight years now that their top pick went into offense. And in those five years, eight of their top 10 picks went into offense. And, to be blunt, that hasn't all gone the way they've wanted.
Let's also remember, as if anyone allows anyone to forget, that they're fresh off being embarrassed in Baltimore, gutted for 299 yards on the ground. And that Cam Heyward's All-Pro brilliance honestly and truly won't last forever. And that Larry Ogunjobi's gone. And that Keeanu Benton might benefit from a tactical adjustment away from the nose.
And, amid all of this, that the draft class about to be set loose tonight has been celebrated, first and foremost, for a fabulous array of interior defensive linemen.
There it is.
It can't be Michigan's Mason Graham, as he'll go in the opening handful. It might not be Mississippi's Walter Nolen, either, for the same reason. But no one would balk at adding the bulk and borderline freakish athleticism of Michigan's Kenneth Grant in the middle:
Enough gambles. Enough prioritizing positional needs. There isn't a quarterback anyone should want this high, anyway. Not after Miami's Cam Ward goes first overall, anyway. Get around to that next spring.
Nothing to overthink. Stay put. Think big.
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THE ASYLUM
Dejan Kovacevic
2:48 am - 04.24.2025South SideDK: Just think big (really big)
I don't do predictions, so I wouldn't, even in a common circumstance, have much to offer that'd be of use to most on this NFL Draft Day. Because all anyone would want to know here is who the Steelers will -- or even might -- take with the No. 21 overall pick tonight.
And it's like this: They don't even want the pick.
At least that's the vibe I got from both Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin in covering their press conference a couple days ago on the South Side, and I didn't exactly have to dig deep to find it. They spoke not once, not twice but three times about trading the pick, and they made plain -- plainer, in fact, than I'd ever heard anyone with the team do -- that the preferred direction would be downward, possibly all the way into Day 2.
It's like, OK, we get it. The class isn't great, the players in that range aren't the right fit, or both, and it'd be smarter in their eyes, to exchange a little quality for a little more quantity.
That said ...
I'll reiterate that the only actual inside information I've received on the draft front is that management's determined to emerge with a running back. And a real running back at that, not a kick returner posing as one.
Beyond that, one needs only to look at the various pre-draft patterns of Khan, Tomlin, Andy Weidl and everyone else who attended combines, pro days, dinners, visits and all that to see that, yeah, if there's a quarterback they like after the first round, they might bite. And yeah, if there's someone in the best-player-available category who falls, they'll seize that.
But let's get real here, my friends.
Let's remember that we're talking about the Steelers here. And Tomlin. And it's been five straight years now that their top pick went into offense. And in those five years, eight of their top 10 picks went into offense. And, to be blunt, that hasn't all gone the way they've wanted.
Let's also remember, as if anyone allows anyone to forget, that they're fresh off being embarrassed in Baltimore, gutted for 299 yards on the ground. And that Cam Heyward's All-Pro brilliance honestly and truly won't last forever. And that Larry Ogunjobi's gone. And that Keeanu Benton might benefit from a tactical adjustment away from the nose.
And, amid all of this, that the draft class about to be set loose tonight has been celebrated, first and foremost, for a fabulous array of interior defensive linemen.
There it is.
It can't be Michigan's Mason Graham, as he'll go in the opening handful. It might not be Mississippi's Walter Nolen, either, for the same reason. But no one would balk at adding the bulk and borderline freakish athleticism of Michigan's Kenneth Grant in the middle:
Nor at Oregon's Derrick Harmon:
Enough gambles. Enough prioritizing positional needs. There isn't a quarterback anyone should want this high, anyway. Not after Miami's Cam Ward goes first overall, anyway. Get around to that next spring.
Nothing to overthink. Stay put. Think big.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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