The Steelers offseason is just beginning and many have different perspectives on who the team should draft, these mocks are done entirely by the computer.
The system chose the Steelers picks from rounds one through three. The following mock drafts have been completed by the Pro Football Focus 2021 draft simulator. It allows for people to chose draft picks or for the computer to automatically run potential draft outcomes. In this case the computer chose the picks from rounds one through three and it showed interesting results. In this scenario trades are allowed to happen, those swaps of picks are automatically determined with a value structure in the system.
Now that all the details are ironed out, these following three situations allow for people to witness what the logical and “need-based” picks are for Pittsburgh. This is before free agency begins so anything can happen when the offseason signing starts and the draft occurs. Needs will change based on who is lost and retained during that time but as of now, there are a lot of holes to fill.
Simulation 1
Round 1: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
In this mock draft, Najee Harris was taken earlier in the first round. The black and yellow were last in the league for rushing offense and it culminated in all factors. The line could not get a push for the life of them and the running backs struggled to see the field.
Etienne was very productive as a Tiger in college. He had more of a letdown year after what was expected from his previous two seasons in college. His career has been highly productive still as he played alongside the future first overall pick, Trevor Lawrence. Etienne is small in stature but his vision and quick burst allow him to be one of the best backs in this deep prospect pool.
Round 2: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Jordan is a name Steelers fans should get to know as he is a top tight end prospect with a high ceiling. He still has some work to do with his game but he is a big receiving threat. He has been a monster at Miami and could become an all-around amazing player if his blocking improves as he enters the NFL. With Vance McDonald likely leaving due to cap causalities, this position of need is high right now.
Round 3: Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
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Rice is a nice get here at this point in the draft. The position has a murky future with Vince Williams and Avery Williamson’s potential stays being in question. Robert Spillane will be back and so will a returning Devin Bush. The depth behind them could be very scarce and something the team will need to address come draft day. The former Bulldog has some speed to his game but he lacks consistency. He had a breakout year before this past season but failed to display that same explosiveness in his 2020 campaign. He is still a nice prospect that could be a great addition to this defense.
Simulation 2
Round 1: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Harris is the best back in this class and will get a lot of media attention as the draft gets closer and closer. The link between the player and Pittsburgh is already there. The media has had Harris to the Steelers even before the season began.
It has been very uncommon for teams to draft running backs as the position becomes less and less of a necessity across the league. Drafting one in the first round needs to be a sure-fire factor back for the next seven to eight years. Harris could be that as a need is there for a true number one rusher as James Conner leaves the Steel City.
Round 2: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The need for the Left Tackle position is burning into the side of this franchise at the moment. Al Villanueva will be leaving as he receives a big payday on the open market. That hole needs to be filled in the draft no matter if it’s addressed in free agency or not due to lack of depth. Jenkins is a nice prospect that needs some work done. At this point in round two, he is a nice addition that could start day one or at least compete for the starting position in camp based on the current situation plaguing the team.
Round 3: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Trask is a puzzling prospect that some can’t get a pulse on currently. He has some amazing tools to work with but his ceiling can be called into question at times. He was a Heisman finalist after his breakout season with the Gators. Will he continue progressing as he enters the NFL or will he just be a career backup? He has the stats but it does become concerning to think if he is another Mason Rudolph in disguise. With Ben Roethlisberger’s future being called into question this is a nice get in round three.
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.