For the first time in more than 50 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be absent a first-round pick in an NFL draft. But the Steelers could be in a position to still get a couple of good players with their existing second-round choice as well as a third-round compensatory pick.
So for this exercise let’s look at the top three options for the Steelers in the second and third rounds in 2020.
Second round
Pittsburgh will need to look long and hard at the offensive roster and decide if they feel like they have the weapons to compete next season for the future. This is also true of the quarterback position regardless of the fact Ben Roethlisberger plans to return.
The Steelers also have some potential free-agent losses on defense including linebacker Bud Dupree and safety Sean Davis to think about.
Here are our top three choices for the second round.
EDGE Terrell Lewis, Alabama
QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
TE Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
The pick-it is Hurts if he’s on the board in the second. The Steelers have to draft him. He’s got ridiculous athleticism and is a proven winner in college as a runner and a thrower. Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges have shown very little and you cannot count on Roethlisberger to play a handful more season. Hurts is an easy pick here if he’s available.
Third round
EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
QB Jordan Love, Utah State
S Ashtyn Smith, California
The pick-If Hurts goes in the second, Okwara is the pick here. This is assuming Dupree leaves in free agency for a big contract. Okwara is a relentless edge rusher who plays every play with a high motor. It is hard to imagine the Steelers are going to be able to afford Dupree with guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt eyeing big contracts as well.
Overall
Based on the sample size we’ve seen this season, the eventual replacement for Roethlisberger isn’t on the roster. So for me, this has to be the top offseason priority. The running backs and wide receivers haven’t played well this season but Pittsburgh has too much invested in those spots to draft anyone early.
Landing Hurts or even Washington’s Jacob Eason in the second round gives Pittsburgh hope for the future they don’t have right now. They are contrasting styles but on a team with so much talent all over the field, it has become obvious how much they need great quarterback play.
As for that comp pick, free agency will dictate the direction. But it’s almost a lock this pick will go to replace a loss on defense.
