Colbert States Steelers Always Aim For First 3 Picks To Become Starters

[Steeler Nation]

The NFL Draft is just a mere two days away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the event by finalizing their process as they prepare to select the newest members of the Steelers’ organization

Monday, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin held a pre-draft press conference and answered multiple questions about their draft process, this past free agency period (which was the most aggressive and lucrative the Steelers have ever had), and how they feel about their draft selection process.

They were specifically asked if they would stick to their well known strategy of selecting “best player available” over “filling a position of need.” Colbert responded with this:

“We always have approached it the same way. When free agency began, obviously that creates some situations where you try to fill in certain holes throughout that period…We thought we did some of that, and any time we have draft preparations, and two players are close, if you have strength at one position and not another and the players are close, you obviously will take that player where your strength isn’t as good. Again, you’ll make a huge mistake if you reach though, down low in your developments and on your boards for players that aren’t quite as good. Because, what looks like a position need at a certain time can change instantly and we have to recognize that and just take the best players available if it’s not close.”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) and general manager Kevin Colbert (right) addressed the media on April 25th, 2022, during the team’s pre-draft press conference. | Steelers.com


After this, they were soon asked about the booming wide receiver market, and the importance of loading up on quality players on their rookie contracts. Colbert had this to say on the subject:

“I think that’s irrelevant to the position. We’ve always talked about our top three picks, they have to become starters in the business model that we follow because you have to have so many players fit into so many categories. When you miss on a player in those rounds, which we have, you end up spending more money trying to replace them in free agency. We’re always cognizant of what goes on in a different position, its impact on a salary cap, and hopefully you have some players that are worthy of that type of consideration. But, that comes back to what we’re about to do on Thursday and trying to make the best picks possible.”

To watch the rest of the interview, click here.

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Steelers GM Kevin Colbert: We Were Open and Honest With Terrell [Edmunds] Throughout the Whole Process”​

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Safe to say after hearing that, they are mainly sticking to their original best available method, but are still open to anything. As stated, they want their first three picks to become starters, as any team would, and have largely been successful at this. Let’s take a look at their first three picks of the last three years:

2019: Linebacker Devin Bush, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and defensive back Justin Layne. This is definitely living up to the model Colbert referred to. They have two full-time starters in Bush and Johnson, and a contributor on defense and on special teams with Layne. Johnson made the Pro Bowl this past season. Worth noting: the Steelers traded up to draft bush, giving away their second round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Johnson and Layne were both third round selections.

Steelers 2019 NFL Draft pick, wide receiver, Diontae Johnson (SI.com)


2020: Wide receiver Chase Claypool, linebacker Alex Highsmith, and running back Anthony McFarland. Again, pretty good here. These players are coming off their sophomore campaigns. Claypool and Highsmith are now full-time starters and acquitting themselves well. McFarland unfortunately has yet to really pan out, with injuries holding him off the field in 2021. Worth Noting: The Steelers were without a first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, trading it away for All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick. They also selected guard Kevin Dotson in the same round as McFarland, who has become a starter on the offensive line.

2021: Running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freiermuth, and center/guard Kendrick Green. This could be the best so far. All three of these players became full-time starters in their rookie seasons for the Steelers. Harris went to his first Pro Bowl and Freiermuth caught 7 touchdowns in 2021. Green had ups and downs, and eventually was benched due to injury, but some speculate it may have been mixed in with poor play. He will get a chance to compete for the starting job again in camp, per Coach Tomlin. Worth Noting: Along with these three players becoming starters in their rookie campaigns, Pittsburgh had three other rookies from this class listed as starters this past season in offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., defensive back Tre Norwood, and punter Pressley Harvin III.

The model does appear to be paying off. Time will tell how they approach it this year, as there is large speculation they may select a quarterback in the first round of this draft. The big question is, if they should or not, as this draft is largely considered to be one of the weakest in regards to quarterback prospects in the last few years. If the team wants a starter out of the first three rounds, picking a quarterback would likely contradict that, at least for this season, as it looks like free agent signing Mitch Trubisky will likely get the job this season. There is more than one round however, and as demonstrated, the Steelers have the capability and scouting to find starter capable players beyond just the first three rounds.

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[madinsomniac]

The build through the draft model always needs three starters per draft to be viable… 2 at a minimum

 

[SteelerFan448]

I wish they'd aim a little higher with Day 3 picks as well. Too often they settle for athletically limited prospects with the upside of playing special teams and that's it.