Look, I am not going to lie. I believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers should use their first round pick (24th overall) on a running back. That running back being none other than, Najee Harris out of Alabama. But what if Harris is off the board at number 24? What position should the Steelers address besides the much needed RB position?
Enter Patrick Surtain II. The 6’2″..208 lb cornerback also out of Alabama is definitely one of the elite defensive backs in the 2021 NFL Draft. But, is he an absolute necessity for Pittsburgh at such a high price? Personally, I don’t believe he is an absolute NEED!
Since it has been stated “you go with the best player on the board” (Surtain ranked #16/Harris ranked #22) you also go by team needs. I mean, if the best player on the board is an inside linebacker, and you have three Pro Bowl ILBs and five potential starters on your roster are you picking an ILB? No. Having said that, the Steelers have a number of talented players in the DBs position.
With interchangeable defensive backs like Joe Haden, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmonds, Cam Sutton and Justin Layne..plus James Pierre licking his chops, I think we can hold off from picking up a corner until the second round.
After all it wasn’t the pass defense that was the problem last year, it was the lack of a run game that exposed Pittsburgh offense for what it was..one dimensional.
The Steelers had an abysmal running game last season, ranking 32nd in the National Football League. THIRTY SECOND! You don’t believe me? Look it up. Now ask yourself, when has that ever happened?
Of course, a lot of analysts and “so-called fans” blame the lack of a running game on the offensive line. A line coated with Alejandro Villanueva, David DeCastro..you know the rest. Cutting it short to focus on the the facts.
But..running back, James Conner (who I think was a great story) was not the answer. Hell, LeVeon Bell wasn’t the answer to Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker or DeAngelo Williams. Najee Harris can become that answer we are looking for.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin and general manager, Kevin Colbert have expressed interest in both Crimson Tide football studs. But the reality is Harris along with a veteran free agent like an Adrian Peterson to mentor the young backfield could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
So in my honest, biased opinion I think if Najee Harris is still on the board at number twenty-four, we pick Najee Harris. If not? Then you can only hope another “pro ready” running back is available. Only then do we entertain the CB position, but hey..it is just my opinion. I am not the ones behind the scenes making the decisions. Finger crossed for Najee. #HereWeGo
STEELERS WORLD 1 