SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “Draft Aftermath” Edition

Good Monday to you Steelers fans.

The 2021 NFL Draft is over and now we bask in its glow as we look towards mandatory mini-camps and eventually Training Camp. If you came here looking for a grade you’ve come to the wrong place. Grading how a team drafts is like grading a freshman’s test that he’s supposed to take his junior year. There’s very little, other than pure speculation, I or anyone else can offer. Personally I think Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin did a very good job addressing needs both for now and for the future. As much as we ant to be in “win now” mode the Draft is also very much about years to come as well. The only questionable decision I really had was the choice to trade up for Isaiahh Loudermilk. Depth along the defensive line is always needed as is experience with a 3-4 scheme but it just seemed to me there were other players and positions they could have made a similar move for.

Reviewing My Mock

Best selection: I was right on the money with Tight End Pat Freiermuth going to the Steelers at 55.

Worst selection: I had Michigan State cornerback Shakur Brown going to the Steelers in the fourth. They wound up signing him as an undrafted free agent.

Tweet of the Day… This is a call you would definitely want to wake up for.

Kendrick Green was taking a nap Sunday when star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gave him a call. Now, the former #Illini will try to earn a job protecting Roethlisberger with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though not at the position most may've anticipated https://t.co/A6mFCfHil4 pic.twitter.com/9MaT9o61C4

— IlliniHQ (@IlliniHQ) May 2, 2021

The Debate Over Harris

The following is from Graham Searles of the The Guardian: Pittsburgh’s reputation as master draftsmen took a significant dent this year. Yes, the Steelers need a running back, and they may finally have a legitimate successor to Le’Veon Bell in Najee Harris, but he may end up routinely brutalised behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. A running back in the opening round is a consensus reach, one Pittsburgh should have avoided. James Robinson’s jump from scrapheap to show stopping 1,000 yard season for the Jaguars last season should have been a recent enough example to help avoid an itchy trigger finger. Harris is an excellent pass catcher but not a three-down back, and is the second-worst pick of the draft considering the Steelers’ holes at corner and on the edge as well as o-line. I don’t even know where to being here. OK first, this writer would likely be the first to write a narrative about how the Steelers “waited too long to draft a running back” had they done what he suggests. He mentions James Robinson who had a really nice season as an UDFA rookie for the Jaguars last season but also fails to mention that this is often a rare find. Had he chosen players like J.K. Dobbins or Alvin Kamara that would have made more sense. Secondly, he mentions “holes at corner, EDGE as well as O-Line.” The Steelers finished DEAD LAST in rushing in 2020. Not upgrading the running game here in the first would have been criminal! Lastly, he claims Harris isn’t a three-down back. What Alabama football team did this guy watch? Sheesh! This is another example of why general NFL writers have too many things to pay attention to. It’s clear this guy took his notes from elsewhere to build his narrative.

Start’Em or Sit’Em

You can go ahead and pencil in Najee Harris as the starter right now. Pat Freiermuth will be utilized immediately as well with Matt Canada using tight ends all over the field and in motion. Kendrick Green could very well be a starter by opening day as he fits exactly what they want to do offensively. His ability to pass protect will be the key there. Dan Moore could very well be a swing tackle in 2021 and perhaps a starter as soon as next year. Buddy Johnson will be a Special Teamer and top reserve quickly. Isaiahh Loudermilk will have to prove he’s better than what the Steelers currently have as depth. Quincy Roche will probably enter Camp as the third or fourth OLB and will be a key Special teams’ player. Tre Norwood is a versatile defensive back who will likely be a ST’er only to start. Punter Pressley Harvin III has to be the starter. You don’t draft a punter otherwise.