By Sunday 
A Unique Approach to Draft Board Integrity
The Pittsburgh Steelers, like every NFL team, have their own method of structuring their draft board. However, one aspect of their process stands out—how they handle players who don’t necessarily fit their scheme. Instead of removing them entirely, the Steelers keep these prospects on the board.
Director of college scouting Dan Colbert recently explained the reasoning behind this approach, shedding light on the team’s draft philosophy and the importance of maintaining the board’s integrity.
The Steelers’ Mock Draft Strategy
Unlike some teams that simulate a league-wide mock draft, the Steelers take a different route. Before their first-round pick, they conduct an internal simulation, selecting the top players they would take if given free rein. This helps them create a structured ranking of talent that aligns with their needs.
However, when it comes to the actual draft board, the Steelers avoid eliminating players solely because they don’t fit their system. Instead, they assess talent as objectively as possible.
Why the Steelers Avoid Removing Non-Scheme Fits
Colbert explained that disregarding players who don’t match their scheme can distort the draft board. “I think you have to be careful not to discard certain players, because what happens is, even if they might not be a scheme fit for us, your board should still have integrity to it,” he said.
He further elaborated on how removing players arbitrarily can lead to an inflated ranking for others. “If you start taking all the players that don’t necessarily fit our defensive scheme, then other players start rising up into places where maybe they shouldn’t belong. All of a sudden you’re looking at a guy who maybe has seventh-round talent in the fifth round.”
Maintaining the Draft Board’s Integrity
The Steelers believe in grading players for their actual talent rather than adjusting rankings based on scheme fit alone. “You give yourself the option to look at them in certain places,” Colbert stated. “It doesn’t mean you have to take them, but I think you have to protect the integrity of the board.”
This philosophy allows them to maintain a balanced perspective when evaluating talent. Even if a player doesn’t fit their current system, his presence on the board serves as a reference point for valuing other prospects appropriately.
Scheme Fit vs. Talent Evaluation
Scheme fits are particularly important in certain positions, especially within the defensive front seven. A 3-4 outside linebacker, for example, isn’t interchangeable with a 4-3 defensive end. The Steelers may not frequently run a traditional base defense, but they still require a true 3-4 nose tackle—something many 4-3 defensive tackles won’t transition well into.
By keeping non-scheme fits on the board, the Steelers ensure they don’t overdraft lesser talents simply because they fit the system. As Colbert’s explanation highlights, this approach provides clarity in evaluating players across different positions. The seventh-best receiver in their scheme may hold more value than the second-best safety who fits their system.
A Thoughtful Draft Philosophy
Ultimately, the Steelers’ approach to draft board management is about perspective. While they may never draft a player who doesn’t fit their scheme, they refuse to ignore their actual value. By keeping all players on the board, they ensure they make decisions based on talent first—without artificially inflating the rankings of scheme-specific players.
This strategy helps Pittsburgh maintain balance, clarity, and discipline in one of the most crucial processes of team-building—the NFL Draft.