The 2021 NFL Draft is less than two months away so the Steelers mock draft season is now in full swing. Here’s why I have them loading up on offense.
The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft will happen on the evening of April 29th with the Steelers selecting at pick 24. That Thursday will mark dreams of these young prospects starting to become reality. The NFL is a very competitive league that always has young and explosive rookies that change the game from year to year. This draft is no different as many players will be showing NFL teams why they should be selected over their fellow draftees. The black and gold will have a good amount of picks this year and they will need every one of them to retool this team going forward. With Pittsburgh being cap-strapped, they will need to rely on the draft to fill their major needs and holes for the immediate future.
Some of those major needs include positions like center, offensive tackle, tight end, linebacker, corner, and more. The team will be losing some key free agents this offseason so these needs could fluctuate between now and when the first round begins. Finding diamonds in the rough will be a priority not a luxury this year because of all those lost to the money bags given out in the free agency waters.
Round 1: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
As a team that needs a starting left tackle this selection allows the Steelers to begin filling one of their biggest holes. Depending on how free agency plays out, it is possible that a prospect could fall to the Steelers at pick 24. Getting Samuel Cosmi here would be a great selection for the black and gold as they sure up the left tackle void left behind with Al Villanueva leaving in free agency. Cosmi is a prototypical tackle prospect that every NFL scout is looking for but he has something even more to his benefit, his youth. He just turned 22 in February and that means he still has a lot of time to develop and grow his game. The Texas product is already a capable starting tackle in the NFL and if he can continue his growth then he could be the best in the league for protecting a quarterback’s blindside.
This selection would be a very good start for the Steelers when the first round begins. Getting him and starting to solve the puzzle along the offensive line will be very beneficial with an aging Ben Roethlisberger behind them. Right now it is unknown how far Cosmi will fall but if he gets to the pick here, Pittsburgh would be foolish not to select him.
Round 2: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Javonte Williams is one of the most talented running backs in this class. His size and balance running the ball is nearly an art form. He can explode with a quick burst or run a defender over when the play calls for it. One of the best things about his game is the overall-ability that he possesses.
Williams can truly do it all as a running back and that is what the Steelers have been missing ever since James Conner’s breakout season a couple years ago. Finding a player that will reignite the spark in the running game is something the team needs to find going forward as they had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL. Williams will light a spark and be able to add a new weapon both running and catching out of the backfield.
Round 3: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
Tommy Tremble is a nice blocking tight end coming out of Notre Dame. This would be a great addition for the Steelers as the position has a major lack of depth behind Eric Ebron. Even with Ebron on the roster, the need to find a good blocking option at the position needs to be found before the season begins. Ebron is a nice weapon in the red zone but he has not been able to block during his entire career. Getting Tremble here allows for the new offensive coordinator, Matt Canada a new toy that can move around and block with nice athletic ability.
Round 4: Trey Hill, OC, Georgia
Right now this might be one of the biggest needs for the Steelers as Maurkice Pouncey retired after the previous season concluded. His successor will have very high expectations going forward and that could be found here with Trey Hill. He played both center and guard at times for the Bulldogs but the black and gold will bring him in as a center.
Hill will probably come in and start day one as there is no major competition going forward even if a free agent like B.J. Finney is brought in. Hill has some issues moving around as his large frame makes him less athletic to move outside for blocking. His possibility to play center and guard at some points will also help his draft stock moving forward.
Round 4: Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma
Tre Brown had a nice Senior Bowl week that showed scouts that he has some potential as a corner in this league. He has ok size but his ability to play is better than most in this class. He is not a finished product but he has time to develop and learn behind guys like Joe Haden and Steven Nelson moving forward. If the team losses both Cam Sutton and Mike Hilton then expect the Steelers to select a corner even sooner in the draft.
Round 5: Wyatt Hubert, EDGE, Kansas State
Wyatt Hubert would be a solid choice at this point in the draft as the Steelers need some depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith going forward. Hubert has put up some nice numbers at the collegiate level but some scouts worry about if his athletic ability will hinder him at the next level. He will be brought in to play on special teams to start, so he will have time to develop as a player.
Round 7: Mike Strachan, WR, Charleston
Mike Strachan is a giant of a receiver and that will help him get drafted. The Steelers are looking for some weapons as it seems more likely than not JuJu Smith-Schuster will be leaving in free agency. Strachan is a huge target with great production over a season ago as he did not play this previous year due to the pandemic. But standing at 6’5 and 225 pounds, this big target could be something special coming out of a small program.
Round 7: Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU
Khyiris Tonga is a normal nose tackle in the NFL as he stuffs run lanes but he can provide some pass-rushing ability. If he can unlock some more of that ability then he could be a great selection here. Tyson Alualu is a free agent and if they lose him then they will need to find a replacement going forward.
It will be a very important draft for the Steelers as they need to fill many positions of need. Fixing the roster through the draft is nothing new for this franchise but it is very important to do well this year.