Reviewing the Pittsburgh Steelers' NFL Draft Strategy

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a unique draft strategy as compared to other teams—namely, they don't care about what other general managers and head coaches think of players. They judge prospects on their own terms and put together a relatively small draft board (about 150 players) based on their own specific wants and needs.

As such, it's hard to predict the Steelers' particular draft strategy from one year to the next. They're not ones to shy away from picking based on need, but they'll also snag the best player available—as long as, of course, that player is considered the best available according to their board.

It's not hard to assume that Pittsburgh's 150-player big board could be best described as "best players available at positions of need," with a few non-essential, talented prospects thrown in.

This stubborn approach has upset fans in recent years, as the Steelers took players that met their needs and fit their system rather than others who seemed like sure things—a number of running backs come to mind. However, this unorthodox-yet-conservative strategy they employ seems to produce more hits than misses.

The unpredictability of the Steelers in the first round makes their 24th overall pick this year somewhat of a mystery. It's clear there are two ways they are most likely to go—offensive line and linebacker—but they could also find someone in the first round to fill their need at nose tackle or go in an entirely different direction if a player too good to pass up is still available to them.

Beyond linebacker, nose tackle and offensive line, the Steelers' needs include adding depth at both safety and tight end, perhaps bringing on both a wide receiver and running back and adding to the defensive line. Depending on who is still on the board, the Steelers may also pick up a corner this year.

There's a chance this draft could be very reach-based for the Steelers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Remember, a reach is only a reach to an outside observer; for the team who took that player, he's just who they wanted at that spot.

With the Steelers picking late in every round, they may have to grab their guy a little earlier than they would have preferred to if they had their picks elsewhere. It may seem like they're playing catch-up with themselves in a few rounds this year, but that's to be expected for teams who pick late.

An approach like that can certainly work for the Steelers this year, with 10 picks to their name. There may be a point where they choose to trade up or down—likely in Rounds 3 through 5—if they have a particular player in mind, but otherwise, expect Pittsburgh to use all of their picks this year.

The NFL draft is always unpredictable, and the Steelers are always one of the more unpredictable teams when it comes to their picks. Expect more of the same this year. Needs will be met, sure, but there are always surprises when the Rooneys, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert are involved.

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