The first round has just concluded and the Steelers will need to make some solid choices on day two.
The Steelers chose Najee Harris out of Alabama with their first-round selection. It was a high choice for a running back and some needs are desperately left to be fixed with the remainder of the draft. Today will consist of rounds two and three as the black and gold currently hold selections 55 and 87.
Pittsburgh will need to find players at the center, tackle, tight end, edge, corner, and other positions to play on this team. There is still a lot of work to do ahead before this draft concludes. So watch closely as this team still tries and fill the voids left behind in free agency as many good prospects are still available after night one.
Quinn Meinerz, OC, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Quinn Meinerz has been a name most Steelers fans have kept their eyes on ever since Senior Bowl week. He is a very promising young prospect that could anchor the middle of an NFL offensive line for years to come. He will have a very long and prospering career at the next level and that is something the black and gold are currently searching for. If a guy like Landon Dickerson falls to them at 55 then he could also be an option but Meinerz would be hard to pass on.
The need for finding a starting center is one of the highest of the team’s needs during the offseason. Selecting this player here will sure up the depth chart and find a player that can play on day one. His unique personality and playing style fits in perfectly with the team. This would be a nice selection on day two of the NFL Draft.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Pat Freiermuth is known as “Baby Gronk” and the player is a smaller version of the man he emulates. He is a tough and physical tight end that is not afraid to get into blocker’s faces. Freiermuth is a very talented player that could’ve gone in the first round if he didn’t get hurt during this prior season. His surgery cut the season shorter than it already was due to Covid and that stock did not help his cause.
The Penn State tight end is still widely considered to be the second-best at his position and should go sometime in the second round. He is an overall solid tight end that is more of a better target in the passing game than blocker at the moment. He has all the tools to fix his blocking issues as he could become a great all-around player for the position.
Getting this player at 55 would be a great selection especially with the team in desperate need of a tight end. We know the Steelers were there at the Penn State Pro Day and worked this player out specifically. A lot is leading to Freiermuth being the pick at 55 if he is still available. He will probably be gone by choice 55 but if he is still there then expect him to be on his way to Pittsburgh.
Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
This guy is coming out of North Dakota State where he transformed his body. He showed up to this program as a skinny prospect and truly turned himself into something special. He blocked for Trey Lance for years and he finally will pay off his hard work and dedication.
Radunz played nicely against the big boys down at the Senior Bowl and that caught the eye of many NFL scouts. He is expected to go on day two of the draft and that would make a ton of sense for this player. He would be great competition for Chuks Okorafor in training camp for the starting spot on the left side.
The team does need a starting center more desperately so it seems like that should be the pick at 55 as long as there is a center with that value there like a Landon Dickerson, Creed Humphrey, or Quinn Meinerz. This would be another nice option but this team needs to continue focusing on their holes and one or two of these prospects would accomplish that. It should be an interesting second day of the draft as the Steelers got their immediate impact running back but they need to build the line as well to ensure his success.
The Steelers still have a lot of work to do after the first round concluded. There are still quality prospects on the board as we enter the second night of the NFL Draft.