Steelers 2021 mock draft: Letting the computer decide rounds 1-3

Simulation 3

Round 1: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

Bateman would add to a supply of riches at the receiver position even with the subtraction of JuJu Smith-Schuster. It will be interesting to see how the team approaches this coveted positional group on the team. It would be a very surprising pick if a wide receiver was chosen in the first round by the Steelers. Bateman only played a handful of games this season with the Golden Gophers before opting out of the remaining season. He is a physical freak that had amazing production in college. This pick is the biggest surprise because receiver does not seem to be a very high need for the Steelers this offseason.

Round 2: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (TRADE: Steelers get pick 35, Falcons receive picks 55,87, 118)

This is a very hefty price to pay for the black and yellow to go up and snag Harris. They would have to covet him to pay this much in the draft. It does not seem likely that it would take that much to give up to achieve a trade. It is not very common for this franchise to trade up but it’s not out of the question. Harris is very good but it does not matter who you put back there to run if the offensive line cannot block for them. That is why it would be so difficult to give up that much draft capital with so many holes to plug. The only way this makes sense if these other needs were addressed in free agency. Harris also seems fairly certain to be a first-round pick so him falling this late in the draft seems unlikely.

This was a fun experiment to see how the computer addresses direct team need and the best overall player. It is always interesting to see a different perspective and the computer did well for the Steelers.