10 most likely picks for Steelers first round of the 2021 NFL Draft

Landon Dickerson C, Alabama

Chance drafted by Steelers: 3%

Despite the Steelers re-signing Zach Banner and snagging free agents JC Hassenauer and Joe Haeg, the Steelers still lose Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and Alejandro Villanueva. Those are two big gaps they need to fill. So they will keep options open for adding an offensive lineman. Common sense would dictate taking a center given they need to replace Pouncey who is a possible future hall of fame inductee.

The problem here is the best option, Rashawn Slater will be off the board before the Steelers select. He has an approximate 97% chance of a team selecting him prior to the 20th pick. Creed Humphry is projected as a 2-4th round draft choice with a possible 10% chance of getting snagged in the first round, this leaves Dickerson. Where he even goes in the first round is debatable. He has at best a 15% chance of a team selecting him, and if he does go it’s not before the 21st selection.

He’s a likable kid who’s 6’6” and 308 pounds. With nice size, he can and will hit two or three defenders on a single snap, stays square, keeps his feet moving, and blocks with leverage. His downside is a history of injuries. A knee injury in 2020 didn’t help his draft prospects.

So will he be available? Is a marginal first-round draft choice the heir apparent to a future hall of famer?  Most likely no. Not that he could not handle the task, but would the Steelers want to give him first-round dollars if they can snag him in the second round.