Steelers 2021 mock draft: Taking the best players available

Round 2: OG/C Landon Dickerson

Recently we highlighted the Pro Days that were visited by Steelers GM Kevin Colbert and HC Mike Tomlin, wondering if they could provide insight to what exact player they were scouting based on the coach/coordinator that accompanied them. To no surprise, the University of Alabama was among them and OC Matt Canada made an appearance.

Predicting that there could be six names on Bama’s offense alone that could be drafted in the first round, each had to be considered when making the article. Now looking ahead, the QB and WRs are likely to be gone by 24, but the presumed pre-draft favorite for the Steelers, RB Najee Harris, will be in play.

However, any chance of any of those six names falling to 56, including OL Alex Leatherwood and Landon Dickerson, should be next to none. Luckily, and probably the rare malfunctions that occur with mock draft machines, Dickerson’s name beamed off the simulator for the Steelers second-round pick.

Even though he was the winner of the Remington Trophy in 2020, the nation’s best center, that’s limiting Dickerson’s ability and experience to play all five positions. Not to guarantee success across the whole line like a pro, but he presented his flexibility with physicality and tone that separated him from the rest. A mammoth of an athlete at 6’6, 325 lbs, he moves well despite his size and injury history that may be his downfall. Suffering four season-ending injuries in five seasons at Bama, Dickerson is a high-risk, high-reward talent that would be a shoo-in for the first round if not cause of them.

Best available options:

EDGE Joseph Ossai, OL Jalen Mayfield, DT Daviyon Nixon, WR Dyami Brown