When it comes to the 2021 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers ’first-round pick 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 teams like Terrell Edmunds and Artie Burns give grounds for Pittsburgh fans to wonder if this year’s election will be a success or a failure.
Currently, Pittsburgh is ranked No. 24 overall and assuming there are no trades, 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 went to the clock in 25 one-round draft simulation games. And I’m sorry, Steelers fan, there’s no Najee Harris here.
1-OT Christian Darrisaw | Virginia Tech
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With Alejandro Villanueva probably leaving his agency free and more questions about the depth in offensive attacks, adding an elite perspective from the left as Darrisaw makes sense. Of all the attacks on this list, Darrisaw is the most prepared to start from the group.
2-LB Zaven Collins | Tulsa
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Collins ’versatility and athleticism is what makes him the ideal first-round pick. He can line up inside alongside Devin Bush on base defense, but he can move out to run or cover himself in sub-packs.
3-EDGE Gregory Rousseau | Miami
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Alex Highsmith hoped he could be a full-time starter ahead of TJ Watt, but depth is a real issue. Rosseau is a polished man with a huge burst 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 on a proper scheme with proper training, you could have a higher ceiling as a pure runner.
5-LB Nick Bolton | Missouri
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The Steelers can never have enough athletes on Defense. Bolton doesn’t offer Collins ’most advantageous skills, but when it comes to a line man aside, Bolton is the best in that class.
6-OT Jalen Mayfield | Michigan
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Mayfield is a step down from Darrisaw, but he remains an interesting guy, especially if the Steelers have a chance to let him work on the right attacks early in his career.
7-OT Teven Jenkins | Oklahoma State
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Of all the offensive liners in this group, Jenkins is the most interesting to me. It’s a finisher who never plays. He has a nasty mindset and plays with an advantage that the Steelers could really use.
8-QB Mac Jones | Alabama
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In all the simulations he performed, Jones was available after the first four quarterbacks came off the board. He’s a back-to-back player in a league looking for more and more athletic quarterbacks, Jones won’t be coveted. But he can play and he’s not as motionless as his critics should believe.
9-WR Kadarius Toney | Florida
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The wide receiver is not a major need for the Steelers, but Toney would be a fascinating selection. His game is very similar to Diontae Johnson, which makes his choice unlikely, but it would be fun to see two guys so electric with football in their hands on the field at the same time.
10-OT Liam Eichenberg
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If you’re looking for the blue collar, it looks like the kind of dining showdown that the Steelers gravitate to, Eichenberg is your type. He’s not showy and doesn’t stand out in any area, but he’s smart, technically solid and rarely makes mistakes.