Steelers 2021 mock draft: Pittsburgh balances offense and defense

Round 3

I’m keeping this player in my mock from before, although I decided to move him up a round. Jeremy Ruckert from Ohio State has a lot of potential heading into the season. While he has yet to play any Big Ten football, his size and soft hands have scouts drooling over what he could turn into as a pro. At 6’5 and 252 lbs. Ruckert has the mold of a traditional TE that can stay in and block as well as make big plays in the passing game.

Looking at the Steelers depth chart right now, drafting a TE in the third seems a little unwise. Considering the cap issues that will likely haunt the Steelers, Vance McDonald is a potential cut and Eric Ebron may not make the final cut either if he disappoints. This depth chart can get weak quickly if the Steelers continue to ignore the position. That’s why adding an early-round TE makes so much sense, as it can give the Steelers a future at the position.

While Ruckert has the look of a complete TE, he does have some questions about his usage in the Ohio State offense. He hasn’t had a dominant season stat-wise, meaning a lot of his stock is projection. However, if he can show off the traits that he has during this shortened season, he could be a draft riser. He has some risk in the third round due to his college production, but that shouldn’t stop the Steelers from taking a shot at him in the draft.