2021 draft: Steelers finally add their QB of the future

While the 2021 draft is still far away, keeping tabs on some potential Steelers picks is vital if the team wants to continue its established success

Mock drafts in general are a futile thing, as projecting what specific players the Steelers will draft is a difficult task. So much goes into the pre-draft process that an arm-chair GM doesn’t experience that goes into deciding who gets drafted. As well, this early on, college football hasn’t been played, underclassmen haven’t declared, and the Steelers haven’t even seen their roster play yet.

All of that said, here is my attempt in futility. Again, the goals of a mock draft this early out isn’t to nail the pick perfectly, it’s more to see what positions the Steelers could potentially be targeting in 2021. As always, the Steelers will have fluctuating needs, and considering how far out we are from the draft, a few things will need to be considered before continuing.

In-house, the Steelers lock up the 30th pick in the draft after losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Buffalo Bills in the championship game. Ben Roethlisberger is hungry and says that while 2021 may be his last year, he wants another ring. More so, the Steelers retain Cameron Heyward, Zach Banner, and Cameron Sutton on extensions while JuJu Smith-Schuster comes back on the franchise tag. Any other pending free agent ends up signing elsewhere.

As well, the Steelers release Vance McDonald and Vince Williams to free up some cap space. In terms of free agents brought in, the Steelers ink Marlon Mack and John Johnson to deals to add depth to both RB and SS. Finally, the Steelers net 9 picks in the draft, with one pick in rounds 1-3, two picks in the 4th (one is a projected comp pick), two in the 6th (one projected comp), and two in the 7th round.

With all of this assumed, here is my way too early 2021 Steelers mock draft.

Round 1:

I’ve gone back and forth with which direction the Steelers could go in the first round next year. It seems likely that offense will be the selection, with top needs at OL and TE likely staring the Steelers in the face, but a defender at LB, NT, or S could also make sense. In the end, though, I think it is time the Steelers invest in life without Ben, so they add Jamie Newman at the end of the first.

While Newman had his ups and downs while at Wake Forest, his transfer to Georgia may allow him to play in a pro-style offense and prove to scouts he is more than just a scrambling QB. Known for his powerful arm and athleticism, Newman could become a top threat at QB similar to how Cam Newton played for much of his career.

That said, he struggled with consistency and accuracy while at Wake Forest. Again, the move to Georgia should give him a constant offense to work with as well as a stable line to protect him (something he was lacking at Wake Forest). Assuming he can cut back on turnovers and improve his accuracy, he would be a fantastic add at the end of the first.

While some fans will lament this selection due to Roethlisberger not retiring, the Steelers have a chance to add a developmental threat to their QB and have control over his contract for five years. That type of flexibility could preserve the Steelers franchise and keep their winning ways going for years down the road.

Round 2:

The Steelers need to add some more talent to the S room, and even after adding Johnson in this mock scenario, the Steelers look to find a more permanent running mate for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Andre Cisco was one of the top ballhawks in college over the past two years, and many are expecting him to be one of the top S prospects entering the draft next year.

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Right now, it seems like there is a logjam of prospects vying for that top spot, and it could lead to the group tumbling as they did in 2020. Assuming Cisco fell to the latter part of the second round, he would make a lot of sense for the Steelers.

The combination of him and Fitzpatrick would allow for Terrell Edmunds to enter more of a sub-package role close to the line of scrimmage. The continued investment in the secondary has paid off for the Steelers, so keeping the room youthful and stocked with talent is a must. Cisco has some struggles in the run game, but assuming he can bulk up a little, he should be an early favorite to start in his rookie year.

Round 3:

The Steelers are set to lose some talent on the offensive line next year, and more specifically at the OT position. While there are some in house options to play either RT or LT, the Steelers will likely have to add a player in the draft. Alaric Jackson out of Iowa has the potential to be a long-term fixture at either OT spot, but he needs to develop more before actually starting there.

His biggest strength is his strength, and at 6’7, he is the definition of a people mover. The Steelers like their OT’s on the bigger side, so adding giant like Jackson to mold is right in their wheelhouse. He has decent quickness for a man his size and should prove to be an athletic member on the line.

The biggest flaw in his game is protecting the passer, as he can get outmaneuvered by defenders and lose position quickly. Simply put, he is not ready to start at OT, and doing so will likely lead to the QB taking too many hits. That said, improving his technique could lead to this trait being less prevalent. While he may never be a dominant pass blocker, if he develops enough, he could be serviceable enough to start at OT.

Round 4:

Lorenzo Neal is the son of former NFL FB Lorenzo Neal, but instead of opening holes for the running game, he specializes in closing them. Neal has been a beast at breaking through offenses and stopping the run during his time at Purdue, and while his pass rush plan is weak, he could start day one as a base NT for the Steelers.

While the position itself is fading, the Steelers still use the NT spot 30 percent of the time in a season. While Neal would likely only specialize in those plays, having a serviceable run stuffer is never a bad thing. He likely won’t ever be a full-time starter, but his bloodlines and high floor low ceiling make him a safe choice in the fourth round.

With either McDonald or Eric Ebron likely being cut after this season, the Steelers will once again be looking for their long-term future at TE. Jeremy Ruckert has the physical traits the Steelers like in their TE’s, as well as the blocking mentality they want out of them. He has seen limited success as a pass-catcher but has garnered praise for his blocking ability.

He seems like a breakout candidate for Ohio St. due to his solid play in a limited role last year. He has the potential to be a top TE in the league that can do it all, similar to Cameron Brate from the Buccaneers. He would slide in as the backup TE and look to develop into a starter down the road.

Round 6:

With the departure of Mike Hilton likely, the Steelers will be looking for some new faces to occupy the slot CB position. While there are some in house options, adding a versatile inside/outside CB in Ambry Thomas would be a sound move. Thomas seems like a better slot CB but can play on the outside if duty calls.

He is a jack of all trades master of none type who can make big plays on occasion but also give up the big play sometimes. He would be a fiend on special teams early before developing into a potential starter somewhere along the CB depth chart. No matter what, he should provide steady depth in the secondary.

The Steelers are lacking depth at slot WR as well, and a player like JD Spielman could be a good depth option in case of injury. He is small, standing at 5’9, 180lbs, but he has good hands and great athleticism that makes him a threat with the ball in his hands. As well, he can return kicks and punts, providing talent at a spot the Steelers have struggled at.

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While he likely would never develop into a full-time starter, he could be a key depth player who adds return ability to a team. That has value, and for a team like the Steelers that are lacking depth on the inside, Spielman would serve as a multifaceted depth player.

Round 7:

Late in the draft, the Steelers look to bolster their LB depth chart with Pete Werner. He is an intelligent player but lacks the athleticism to be an every-down player. That said, he could transition to a special team’s role, something that holds a lot of value to the backend of the roster players. Don’t expect him to start for the Steelers, but a few years as a gunner will be well worth the late-round pick.

To end the draft, the Steelers add intriguing rusher Rashad Weaver out of Pitt. He suffered through injuries last year, while kept him off the field, but he has seen some success early in his collegiate career. With the possible departure of Bud Dupree, adding an option like Weaver to keep the depth chart full is a wise investment.

While the 2021 draft process is still in its early stages, these are just a few names for the Steelers to consider. After what should be an exciting 2020, the Steelers will have to retool to remain competitive in the AFC. Their best bet is to build through the draft and find both short term and long-term starters for the team.