The 2020 NFL Draft was Mike Tomlin’s 14th Draft with the Steelers. Heading into the draft the Steelers needed to address the following needs at WR, DL (after losing Javon Hargrave), a few OL to build the depth on the roster as well as an extra RB to help depth there. The big problem for the Steelers last year (apart from missing Big Ben) was that their run game was below par to average, the 3 main running backs together averaged 3.5 YPC and only had 7 rushing touchdowns all season which was #30th in the league, only in front of the Jets (6) and the Jaguars (3). Their main RB James Conner was injured most weeks of the season so the need for back-up at the position is highlighted on if Conner can keep healthy. Tie that alongside the fact that they averaged 18.1 PPG (ranked 27th) their offence was one of the worst in the league (once again without Big Ben) and yet this team still managed to get to 8-8 phenomenally, but that was because the Steelers had one of the best defences in the NFL, they have playmakers all over the board and have managed to bring back star pass rusher Bud Dupree who had 11.5 sacks to match back up with TJ Watt who had 14.5 sacks. The Steelers are without a 1st round pick this year, as they traded it to the Dolphins to get S Minkah Fitzpatrick, which turned out to be one of the best trades of the Year. With all parts of this defence returning the only thing to address was the offence and the depth on the team.
The Steelers first selected at pick #49 and with that pick they selected Chase Claypool – WR – Notre Dame. Chase Claypool is a big guy, he stands at 6ft 4in and weighs almost 240 pounds, the Redzone threat the Steelers have been asking for. This is an amazing pick, last year Chase had 66 REC, 1037yards and 13 TD’s, this was his best year in all categories in all his 4 years at ND. He joins new new Steelers TE Eric Ebron (also 6ft 4in) in a revamped Steelers offence. Big Ben will have been happy with this pick as he adds another Redzone threat to join up with Juju Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson in the WR room in Pittsburgh, a room which is getting better because of this pick!#
With pick #102 the Steelers selected Alex Highsmith – DE – Charlotte, this is an amazing pick by the Steelers, Highsmith who had 15 sacks in his final year at Charlotte gets to learn off TJ watt, Cameron Heyward and Bud Dupree. If the Steelers can develop Highsmith it leaves them with an excellent player to replace the damage that Dupree does if the Steelers cannot work out a long term deal. Highsmith could potentially start right away, he will definitely contribute from Week 1 that’s for sure.
With pick #124 the Steelers drafted RB Anthony McFarland JR – RB – Maryland. The depth at RB was finally covered when the Steelers went running back in Round 4, the Steelers opted not to draft a RB on day 2 even though some of the big names such as J.K Dobbins (who ended up at the Ravens) means they are moving forward with Conner as RB1 but required some additional depth at the position. McFarland is only 5ft 9in and 198 pounds and is coming of a dip in his final year at Maryland, in 2018 he had a 1000 yard season at 7.9 YPC, compared to 2019 where he had only 614 yards and averaged 5.4 YPC… However he doubled his touchdowns from 2018 having 8. McFarland will add depth in case Conner gets injured and push other RB’s Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels for snaps. One thing to note about this pick is when the Steelers selected there were still some good OL on the board. So an interesting one at where the Steelers believe they are in that department, but the Steelers had another pick in only 11 picks time.
With the #135 pick the Pittsburgh Steelers selected – Kevin Dotson – G – Louisiana. Dotson played 4 seasons for the Cajuns, he was touted by NFL analysts as “Explosive of the ball” and can execute both Combo blocks and Kick-out Blocks with ease, although he wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, Dotson has never missed a game for the Cajuns. This adds more depth on the OL which the Steelers needed, they didn’t need an instant starter since they signed Stefen Wisniewski but with the loses of Ramon Foster (retirement) and B.J. Finney (Free Agent) they did need to address the depth and they did in the 4th round. It is worth noting that for the Cajuns he played both Tackle and Guard but is primarily a Guard. The Steelers have good expectations of him and do believe he can compete for a Starting job at LG.
With pick #198 the Steelers selected Antoine Brooks Jr – S – Maryland. Brooks Jr stands at 5ft 11in and weighs 213 pounds. With his physicality Brooks Jr can play S and LB for the Steelers and Steelers secondary coach Teyrl Austin says Brooks Jr is more comfortable playing in the box and hitting people with his physical traits. Austin also says that he can see Brooks Jr being a core special teamer for the Steelers.
With pick #232 the Steelers selected Carlos Davis – DL – Nebraska. The Steelers needed to address the DL position after they lost Hargrave to the Eagles in Free Agency the Steelers needed someone to fill the void left. Davis 6ft 2in and 320 pounds is a hugely athletic individual who also played Basketball for Nebraska. In his final year for the Cornhuskers he had his career high in sacks (4) and started every game bar 1. He has only missed 2 games in his entire time at Nebraska and as a multi sport athlete he adds good depth for the Steelers at DT.
Overall the Steelers had a sucessful draft and i think they will have been happy with the additions they made. They added an OL in Dotson and they added valuable depth on the defensive side of the ball, on the DL as well as getting a very good redzone threat in WR Chase Claypool.
The Steelers win total heading into the new season is Win total stands at 8.5 and they are 10/11 to qualify for the new 7 team NFL Playoffs. If the 7 team playoffs were a thing last year the Steelers would of made it, with key additions to the offence and adding key depth on that stellar defence, they could challenge again. They have the Ravens, who have just got better and better in the draft, as well as the Bengals (who we covered yesterday) and the browns. It is a hard division and you think it will be a challenge, but Tomlin is an exceptional coach so they have a chance. If you fancy them to make a Superbowl run, they are 28/1 @ 888/unibet. Too short in my opinion but its not me that will be betting it!
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Written By Jack Wilson – @BeefyLayd17
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