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Whether or not it was Terrell Edmunds in 2018, the commerce to draft Devin Bush in 2019, or Chase Claypool in 2020, the Steelers have had a historical past of unusual their fanbase with their first decide within the draft.
And although the followers and media are likely to have an inventory of prospects that make sense for the group to draft annually, usually primarily based off of group wants, studies, or different educated guesses, Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace can usually go in a totally completely different route. So whereas there’s nonetheless an excellent probability that the Steelers will draft a top-rated offensive sort out or working again with the twenty fourth total choice within the upcoming draft, there’s loads of prospects who may be the decide that don’t have their names linked to the Steelers that usually.
Beneath I’ve listed 10 prospects who could also be beneath the radar choices for the Steelers within the first spherical. I’ve tried to pick gamers that actually match that description, so the aforementioned high offensive tackles and working backs will likely be omitted, as nicely the quarterbacks (who, whereas unlikely picks, have been the topic of a lot draft dialogue). Prime-rated prospects who might presumably fall to the Steelers, equivalent to Micah Parsons or Patrick Surtain II received’t be included both, because the shock could be them being out there, not the Steelers deciding on them.
Having outlined what I imply by “beneath the radar”, let’s get to the listing. The prospects are listed in no explicit order.
Most would agree that the Steelers shouldn’t draft a large receiver within the first spherical this 12 months, however that is an “beneath the radar” listing, so hear me out. If JuJu Smith-Schuster finally ends up leaving the group via free company this offseason, Pittsburgh will doubtless be in search of one other receiver so as to add to the roster, doubtless via the draft. Steelers GM Kevin Colbert has a observe report of drafting glorious receivers, however the picks are sometimes early on the draft, even when the place isn’t a lot of a necessity. That’s the place Toney is available in. One in every of my favourite gamers within the draft, he has a Diontae Johnson-like skillset, with unbelievable shiftiness and agility. Nonetheless, Toney appears to be a bit sooner, is extra sturdily constructed, and has extraordinarily dependable fingers. He was pretty productive final 12 months at Florida, and performed in a scheme the place he caught a whole lot of quick passes, ran a whole lot of sweeps, and even lined up within the backfield at instances. Kevin Colbert talked about that Pittsburgh is likely to be changing the way they evaluate players to suit new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme, and Toney positively matches the mould.
Kadarius Toney may simply be too good to go up on for the Steelers within the first spherical. When you’re eager about studying extra about him, try a extra intensive breakdown HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
The Steelers could also be in search of one other inside linebacker within the upcoming draft, and if Pittsburgh chooses to handle the place within the first spherical, Bolton could be close to the highest of the listing. Equally to Devin Bush, Bolton is a athletic, compactly constructed inside linebacker. Regardless of his smaller measurement, Bolton is a bodily, laborious hitter with good explosiveness when attending to the ball provider. Bolton is strong in protection, however measurement and pace points imply he isn’t nice in man-on-man, particularly in opposition to bigger tight ends. His measurement may give him issues when going up in opposition to offensive linemen as nicely.
Bolton has some limitations, however he performs with the best physicality and aggressiveness of an NFL inside linebacker. He’ll positively be within the first spherical dialog, and the Steelers will doubtless take an excellent look if he’s out there after they decide.
Cornerback is an underrated want on the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers. Slot corners Mike Hilton and Cam Sutton are free brokers, beginning boundary nook Joe Haden is getting up there in age, and the general depth is unproven. In a league the place a group can by no means have too many good cornerbacks, South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn might be a primary spherical decide who might contribute a bit of bit his rookie 12 months and slide into a much bigger function sooner or later.
Horn is a bodily outdoors nook with good measurement and size. He’s aggressive in protection, which will be each good and dangerous, however he has the athletic and technical skill to play that manner. Horn’s tackling will be suspect at instances, however total he is an excellent prospect at nook who ought to positively hear his title known as within the first spherical.
Dickerson is a well-recognized title on Steelers mock drafts, however normally not within the first spherical. With restricted athleticism and a regarding damage historical past, Dickerson is seen by most as a second spherical decide. Nonetheless, he’s additionally maybe the very best middle within the class, which inflates his worth. Dickerson remains to be an excellent soccer participant, although, as he’s good, bodily, and a terrific run-blocker who had an excellent profession at Alabama. If he can keep wholesome, Dickerson may really be an excellent decide within the first, however hopefully Pittsburgh would try and commerce down to pick him, as a substitute of constructing the decide at #24 total.
In determined want of a middle, the Steelers could decide Dickerson sooner than anticipated to ensure they’ve their middle of the long run. You’ll be able to learn extra about Dickerson HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
I might put a whole lot of completely different EDGE rushers on this listing, equivalent to Azeez Ojulari, Jaelan Phillips, Jayson Oweh, and even Gregory Rousseau. Nonetheless, as a result of I extremely doubt the Steelers will use a primary spherical decide on the place this 12 months, I solely selected one EDGE rusher so as to add to the listing. Jospeh Ossai performed as each a pass-rusher and an off-ball linebacker at Texas, exhibiting the best versatility for the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme. He tasks finest at EDGE although, the place he makes use of his fast first step and array of pass-rushing strikes to get to the quarterback. He’s pretty new to the place, which makes his psychological processing a bit of gradual at instances, however total Ossai is very athletic, pretty polished, and performs with a excessive motor. He has a knack for forcing fumbles as nicely. By no means the best, Ossai nonetheless had a whole lot of pressures that confirmed up on tape, and hopefully he’ll be capable to hit residence extra usually within the NFL.
Technically sturdy sufficient to contribute as a rookie, with sufficient athletic upside to develop right into a star, Ossai is a good prospect on the 3-4 OLB place. The Steelers want one other pass-rusher to complement T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, and Ossai could be a high quality participant at that place, maybe with the flexibility to step in at center linebacker from time to time as nicely.
A number of what I mentioned about Landon Dickerson earlier applies to Humphrey. Seen by most as a second spherical decide, the Oklahoma middle is a superb run blocker with a excessive soccer IQ and management expertise. He’s bodily and has good method, and performed on considered one of faculty soccer’s higher offensive strains. He’s restricted athletically, and could also be bit worse in go safety than Dickerson. Humphrey does come with out the damage issues, although, which is an enormous plus.
Humphrey might be a shock first spherical decide for the Steelers in the event that they don’t suppose he’ll final to their choice within the second spherical. You’ll be able to learn extra about Humphrey HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
Not fairly as beneath the radar as the opposite gamers on this listing, Collins has been a considerably standard mock draft choice for the Steelers. Due to this, I’ll preserve the evaluation moderately quick.
Collins is an enormous, athletic playmaker on the linebacker place, with good positional versatility. He can play as a pass-rusher and an inside linebacker, and has good protection and run-stopping skill. Some draft studies query his pace and quickness, but it surely’s removed from a legal responsibility and spectacular for a 260-pound prospect. If the Steelers are in search of one other athletic linebacker to pair with Devin Bush, Zaven Collins might be the man.
Pat Freiermuth was a very fashionable title within the first spherical of Steelers’ mock drafts. Nonetheless, his draft inventory has fallen a bit, doubtless as a consequence of lacking a lot of his ultimate season at Penn State with damage. Many undertaking him as an early second spherical decide now. There nonetheless is so much to love about Freiermuth although, as he’s an athletic receiving tight finish with good measurement, delicate fingers, and strong route-running skill. What makes Freiermuth particular is his skill to dam, as he’s among the finest blocking tight ends on this class. Freiermuth nonetheless has a whole lot of room to develop in that space, however he has the scale and power to actually be efficient on the NFL degree.
Freiermuth will likely be a weapon within the passing recreation and has the potential to be an excellent blocker as nicely. He might positively be within the first spherical dialog for Pittsburgh as a safety blanket for an growing old Ben Roethlisberger, whereas nonetheless having an impact on the run recreation. You’ll be able to learn a extra thorough breakdown of Freiermuth HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
I do know I mentioned I’d be steering away from the offensive tackles on this listing, however Vera-Tucker tasks as extra of a guard within the NFL, and isn’t talked about in Steelers mock drafts regardless of being projected to go within the picks 20-30 vary. He’s a bodily run-blocker like a lot of the inside offensive line class, however he has the athletic skill and go safety expertise lots of his friends lack.
Guard is the one place on the offensive line the place the starters are set for the Steelers subsequent 12 months, but when the group likes Vera-Tucker he might positively nonetheless be their first spherical decide. Doubtlessly, he might begin at sort out his rookie season after which transition to protect following David DeCastro’s retirement. You’ll be able to learn extra about Vera-Tucker HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
One other potential Smith-Schuster alternative, Bateman has an analogous skillset to JuJu’s, with nice fingers, good route-running, and strong total athleticism. He made a dwelling in faculty off of contested catches, taking part in with nice physicality and focus. The primary knock on Bateman is his pace, however he nonetheless manages to realize separation on tape (I believe higher quarterback play would have proven this higher), and reportedly ran the 40 yard dash under 4.4 seconds on the EXOS mix, which could be very spectacular for a receiver of his measurement.
Together with his spectacular 40 time, Bateman may really be gone earlier than the Steelers choose within the first spherical. But when he’s out there, there’s an excellent probability the Steelers is likely to be . A extra intensive breakdown of Bateman will be discovered HERE on the BTSC Massive Board.
The Steelers’ two greatest wants, arguably, coming into the 2021 draft are middle and working again. Each are pretty deep positions this 12 months, however the very best worth is undeniably within the second and third rounds. The opposite massive want, offensive sort out, ought to have loads of first spherical abilities out there when the Steelers decide at #24. However the Steelers appear to be assured in Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner, and the deep nature of sophistication could cause them to choose on the place within the later rounds.
The shortage of urgency to choose considered one of these positions early on could lead the Steelers to take a extra finest participant out there method, or they might attain to take a participant at a place of want. Regardless, this might lead to a stunning choice with the Steelers’ first spherical decide.
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