The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter draft day with a major decision on their hands. Not just who to draft 21st overall, but which position to target also is important. Could it be a quarterback or defensive lineman? The Steelers had been widely projected to take a defensive lineman in the first round. However, as the team's need for a quarterback has gone on, it has seemed more and more likely that the team will focus on getting a signal-caller.
The Steelers' search for a quarterback has caught most of the media's attention, especially surrounding their attempt and failure to sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a timely manner. Despite this, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac wrote that with the draft being a week away, Pittsburgh is leaning towards bolstering its trenches.
On Saturday, Dulac wrote in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers are likely to take a defensive lineman, as it's arguably the team's greatest need going into the upcoming season. If the Steelers take a quarterback in the first round, the defensive talent left in the third could be underwhelming. Going for a defensive lineman early could be a must if the Steelers want to land a starter-caliber talent.
"Without a pick in the second round, the Steelers want to be sure they use the 21st overall pick to address their biggest need," Dulac wrote. "There seems to be little question that is the defensive line, where finding the next Cam Heyward would appear to be at the top of their list."
Dulac goes on to say that the Steelers are in luck, as this year's draft class is rich with interior defensive linemen. Dulac specifically named Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Grant as potential picks for the Steelers in the first round.
Dulac also specifically singled out Cam Heyward as a veteran who is in the later stages of his career and who needs a replacement. Heyward played lights out in the 2024 season, but could only have one or two seasons left where he's able to play at such a high level. If the Steelers are able to find Heyward's potential replacement in this year's draft, then it would be a no-brainer.
Steelers Will Need To Weigh Their Needs Carefully
Dulac named at least four areas that the Steelers will need to address in the draft.
"With the start of the NFL draft just four days away, the Steelers have narrowed their search to bolstering their defensive line, finding a replacement for Najee Harris, adding another wide receiver, and possibly getting a quarterback," wrote Dulac. "And likely in that order."
It's surprising that Dulac has the Steelers' need for a quarterback at the bottom of the list. But despite the Steelers' dire straights when it comes to a starting signal caller, all isn't lost if the Steelers don't land Rodgers or a high draft pick.
This offseason, the Steelers re-signed quarterback Mason Rudolph. When Rudolph was signed, it was unclear where he would fall on the depth chart. However, if the draft comes and goes without the Steelers making any major moves for a quarterback, Rudolph could find his way back into the starting spot in Pittsburgh.
Dulac gave one scenario where the Steelers would be most likely to take a quarterback at 21st overall.
"Meantime, the Steelers are not anticipating taking a quarterback in the first round, but that doesn’t mean the possibility doesn’t exist," Dulac wrote. "For that to happen, though, most of their other targets on the defensive line — and even running back — would already have to be off the board."
It would be an unfortunate turn of events for the Steelers to miss out on top defensive talents, but their chances of landing a talented quarterback in the first round would be promising.
