As soon as Matt Williamson said it, I thought that his comment made a ton of sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Well, for every team in this year’s NFL draft. But especially the Steelers.

Williamson is a former pro and college scout. He now works for SNR and WDVE in Pittsburgh. Plus he hosts the “Peacock and Williamson” podcast.

“When in doubt, maybe the smart general managers will be happy hitting singles and doubles instead of swinging for the fences with guys they don’t know that much about,” Williamson said on Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast.

The Steelers did that last year, as did many teams given the funky evaluation process due to coronavirus impacting the pre-draft schedule.

Well, guess what? Coronavirus is still impacting the evaluation process. The 2021 NFL Scouting Combine is going to be immensely watered down. So league front offices and coaching staffs are going to have to rely on tape and individual workouts more than ever.

So familiarity and college resumes may be even more valuable than they have been in years past. The Steelers already employed that strategy last year drafting Chase Claypool with 50 games of experience under his belt at Notre Dame, three other seniors in Alex Highsmith, Kevin Dotson and Carlos Davis, and two players that head coach Mike Tomlin had familiarity with out of Maryland in Anthony McFarland and another senior in Antoine Brooks.

Seeing as how most of the draft class contributed to some degree or another, might the team employ a similar strategy in 2021? After all, with their roster expected to be picked apart in free agency, rookies who are ready to play in Year 1 will be at a premium for Tomlin.

“It might be a perspective in terms of less development, more get them in here and get them ready,” Williamson continued.

It’s not just the lack of uniform workouts at the combine that will be an issue for teams. Interviews are going to have to be done online. And medical evaluations are going to have to be conducted at university pro days.

“They all get the same information (at the combine),” Williamson said. “But at pro days — the way I understand it this year — is that you can bring your team doctor. But maybe some teams will sometimes and not others. It won’t be one-stop shopping for all that medical (information).”

It’s not just the teams that are going to have to adjust on the fly. So are the draftees. Especially those who opted out all year, such as Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Pitt defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman.

“Pro days don’t hold as much weight for me as combines. They will probably lose some tie-breakers,” Williamson said. He noted that those two and other opt-out candidates have probably been working on exclusive combine-related exercises.

As far as what the Steelers may do when their time comes around at pick No. 24 in the first round, Williamson acknowledges a ton of scouting still needs to be done. But he wouldn’t be shocked if the Steelers go against the grain and take a running back in Round 1.

“If you asked me nine out of 10 times, I would say offensive line over running back. But I think their running backs have been the worst running back room two years running now… That’s not usually my style — going out and getting a running back (in the first round),” Williamson said.

“But running back is probably the weakest position on the team. It wouldn’t shock me if their first three picks are center, tackle, running back in some order.”

Williamson specifically referenced Alabama RB Najee Harris.

Based on Harris’ college production, that could be at least a solid “single or double.” But based on upside he flashed with the Crimson Tide, he may also have plenty of “home runs” along the way.

Hear more of my conversation with Williamson on Wednesday’s podcast. We talk about why the absence of a true scouting combine may minimize pre-draft moves and what that may do to the quarterback class. Plus, rating the Steelers’ offensive line needs.

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