4 best value picks the Steelers made in the 2021 NFL Draft

1. EDGE Quincy Roche

I’ve seen a number of writers who were just so-so on this pick, and I don’t understand that. Quincy Roche was a player I certainly would have considered for the Steelers with one of their fourth-round picks, so when he was still available to them in the sixth round, I was ecstatic.

Roche doesn’t pass the eye test. He’s not 6’5” with a wingspan for days, and you would almost think he is an inside linebacker just by looking at him. However, looks can be deceitful. Though he may be just 6’2 5/8” and 245 pounds with 32 1/4” arms, Roche is as savvy as they come at the position. During his collegiate career at both Temple and Miami, Roche racked up 54.0 tackles for a loss and 30.5 sacks over 4 seasons. This alone should have got him drafted higher than the sixth round.

Roche doesn’t have an elite athletic profile, but he’s a player who simply knows how to get after the quarterback. He probably won’t be pushing Alex Highsmith for his job as the starter opposite of T.J. Watt, but I’d almost expect him to win the job as the first outside linebacker off the bench for this team in 2021.

It will be interesting to see how these players perform this year. While the draft may look a bit underwhelming on paper, these players have the upside that makes them solid value picks for the Steelers in 2021.