There are few football analysts with the depth of knowledge and credibility of Fox Sports' Joel Klatt.
Known primarily as a college football color commentator and analyst, Klatt is also recognized for his annual mock drafts, which he featured on "The Joel Klatt Show" a few days ago.
In the first edition of his mock draft, Klatt had the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas with the 21st overall pick.
Klatt admittedly had some difficulty with his pick, citing the team's needs in different position groups, such as quarterback, and uncertainty about the team's direction this offseason. Ultimately, he decided on Golden, providing the team with another receiving threat to complement George Pickens. However, Klatt voiced his uncertainty about his selection due to the unknown direction of the team.
"Again, my confidence level is low on this one because, I don't know where Pittsburgh is headed, and that sounds strange because Pittsburgh has been like the picture and pillar of consistency in the National Football League for a long time, but this offseason feels a little bit different."
Even with multiple needs on offense, the team has prioritized defense, specifically at defensive tackle. During this year's Reese's Senior Bowl event in Mobile, Alabama, the Steelers' brass, including general manager Omar Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl, spent the majority of their time scouting defensive tackles, with minimal attention on other position groups.
In his own right, Golden's draft stock has been on the rise this offseason. His route-running abilities and versatility, both inside and outside, have made him a desirable prospect in one of the weaker pools of receivers in recent memory. Last season with the Longhorns, Golden set career highs with 58 receptions for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
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