The Steelers’ biggest need is RB. If Alabama’s Najee Harris is available when the Steelers use the 24th pick overall tonight, they should take him.
But Miami might take Harris at No. 18.
If Harris is off the board and the Steelers don’t feel either Clemson’s Travis Etienne or North Carolina’s Javonte Williams is equitable, the Steelers should take Tulsa LB Zaven Collins.
If Benny Snell starts at RB, the Steelers’ offense winds up being the same as last year: Quick drops, quick throws, short gains, too many passes. But it might be that no matter what.
The Steelers’ strength is defense. That unit lost key components: Bud Dupree, Steven Nelson, Mike Hilton. It needs another playmaker.
Collins is that playmaker. He’s played outside ‘backer in Tulsa’s 4-3, which translates to playing inside next to Devin Bush in the Steelers’ 3-4. He’s 6-foot-5, 259 pounds. He runs a 4.67-second 40-yard dash. A scouting report calls him a “freakish combination of size and athleticism.”
Bush and Collins would give the Steelers their version of Tampa Bay’s inside linebacker duo, Devin White and Lavonte David. White and David greatly impacted the Buccaneers en route to their Super Bowl championship.
The Steelers’ offense can’t be fixed in this draft. Too many holes. It can only be patched up.
The defense could be a championship unit. If Harris is gone at No. 24, the Steelers should take Collins.
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