Let’s wind the clock back to 2018.
The Steelers had a solid team, led by the offensive firepower of Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster were both enjoying career years, while the defense was led by the talent of T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Joe Haden.
It was a playoff-caliber roster, with playmakers at nearly every position.
However, there was a gaping hole at inside linebacker.
It looked as if the Steelers had planned on drafting one before the season even started, but they watched from the 28th overall slot as Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Leighton Vander-Esch, and Rashaan Evans, the top prospects at the position, were all taken ahead of their selection.