The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t ignore the inside linebacker position during the 2021 NFL Draft, using a fourth-round pick (their first on a defensive player) on Buddy Johnson out of Texas A&M. But you don’t take a defender in the fourth round and expect him to be a plug-and-play starter, nor do you wait that long if you think you need one.
No, the Steelers waited because they already had Robert Spillane, whom they believe is capable of doing that. Even though they brought back Vince Williams, who has much more starting experience, it seems clear, for example, to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, who’s in charge.