4 winners and 3 losers from Steelers 2021 NFL draft results

Winner: TE Room

Landing Freiermuth in the late second round was a great value pick looking beyond just the position being one of need. With him added to the room, it has turned one of the Steelers biggest weaknesses into a strength. Now, the position has great depth behind Eric Ebron and a long-term starter in Freiermuth.

Now, the team can try to utilize two tight ends even more successfully than they did last season. Vance McDonald was a shell of himself, so it made it hard for the team to capitalize fully. Freiermuth should be an easy upgrade there, and it should allow the Steelers to utilize more two tight end sets successfully. This also gives Freiermuth the proper early playing time to develop as a complete tight end.

This is a benefit for the bottom of the roster options as well, as they won’t be forced to play a role they aren’t suited for at the time. While long-term Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader aren’t traditional starters, both could be decent depth options. That said, neither are suited to be a top backup right now. Adding Freiermuth fixes that and strengthens this position as a whole.