Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the only team in the league to have made a selection in the first round in every year for decades on end. The last time that they had traded away a top pick was in the late 60s—prior to doing so in 2019.
While they trade afforded them the opportunity to acquire two-time first-team All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, it left them sitting on the sidelines last year during the first round. The draft still worked out pretty well for them, and three of their top four picks are projected to be starters this year, but there is something to be said about having that top 32 pick and a much better shot at a blue-chip prospect, team president Art Rooney II admitted earlier today.