Worst-case scenarios for every Steelers pick in 2021 draft

Round 4:

An important caveat here, saying a fourth-round pick is a worst-case scenario is a little rich. That said, pay attention to the positions and style of players more so than just the player name. For example, Tommy Doyle has plenty of positive traits as a developmental tackle. While his value would likely fall more to the fifth or sixth round, taking a player like Doyle here wouldn’t be a travesty.

The issue is the Steelers would be selecting a tackle before getting a center-capable option. While adding tackle depth is a good move around the fourth, not addressing the center would be a mistake. This means that B.J. Finney would be tasked with starting with little competition behind him. This would lead to negative results, as a tackle that would sit on the depth chart most of the year is far less valuable than a center who could take over at some point.

As stated earlier, there is an even worse-case scenario than taking a running back in the first, and that would be taking Jermar Jefferson in the fourth and him being the only running back from this draft. While there are plenty of good running back prospects that could be had in the third or fourth round, Jefferson isn’t one of them. He lacks any defining trait and will require an elite line to be able to produce at the NFL level.

To be clear, I have no issue taking a running back in the fourth round, but Jefferson has too many issues to be counted on as a potential starter. He lacks the long speed to be an effective change of pace option, the hands to be a receiving back, or the size to be a power back. The Steelers have plenty of more talented options on the roster. Taking Jefferson and expecting him to start would be a mistake.