When it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, choosing the first round of the Pittsburgh Steelers will be crucial to the future of the franchise. The Steelers have done well in recent years with guys like TJ Watt, Devin Bush and Bud Dupree. But choices like Terrell Edmunds and Artie Burns give Pittsburgh fans reason to wonder if this year’s election will be a success or a wish.
Currently, Pittsburgh holds the No. 24 overall ranking and assuming there are no transactions, here are the 10 most reasonable guys to consider when the Steelers are on the clock. This is based on who the top 10 players on the board were when the Steelers entered the clock in 25 simulations simulated by one round. And I’m sorry Steelers fans, there’s no Najee Harris here.
1-OT Christian Darrisaw | Virginia Tech
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With Alejandro Villanueva likely to leave free agency and more questions about the depth of offensive attacks, adding an elite left-wing approach perspective, such as Darrisaw, makes sense. Of all the approaches on this list, Darrisaw is the most prepared for beginners in the group.
2-LB Zaven Collins | Tulsa
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Collins’ versatility and athleticism is what makes him an ideal choice in the first round. He can line up inside next to Devin Bush in the base defense, but he can move outside to hurry or fly in sub-packages.
3-EDGE Gregory Rousseau | Miami
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Alex Highsmith has given some hope that he can be a full-time starter in front of TJ Watt, but depth is a real issue. Rosseau is a polished guy with a huge bang and can line up on both sides.
4-EDGE Jaelan Phillips | Miami
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Where Rousseau is more polished, Phillips is more raw and unproven. But in the right scheme, with a proper coach, he could have a higher ceiling than a pure step.
5-LB Nick Bolton | Missouri
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Steelers can never have enough athletes in Defense. Bolton doesn’t offer Collins’ cutting-edge skills, but in terms of a line-by-line type, Bolton is the best in this class.
6-OT Jalen Mayfield | Michigan
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Mayfield is a step down from Darrisaw, but he’s still an interesting guy, especially if the Steelers have a chance to let him work on a proper attack early in his career.
7-OT Teven Jenkins | Oklahoma State
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Of all the offensive officers in this group, Jenkins is the most interesting to me. He is a finisher who never takes a playoff. He has an ugly mindset and plays with an advantage that the Steelers could really use.
8-QB Mac Jones | Alabama
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In every simulation I ran, Jones was available after the first four defenders came off the board. He is a retired player in a league looking for more and more athletic defenders, Jones will not be coveted. But he can play and is not as immobile as his critics should think.
9-WR Kadarius Toney | Florida
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The wide receiver is not a top necessity for Steelers, but Toney would be a fascinating choice. His game is very similar to Diontae Johnson, his choice being unlikely, but it would be funny to see two guys so electric, with football in hand on the field at the same time.
10-OT Liam Eichenberg
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If you’re looking for the blue collar, the type of lunch plate that Steelers approaches, Eichenberg is your type. It’s not shiny and doesn’t stand out in any area, but it’s smart, technically healthy, and rarely wrong.