Steelers NFL Draft review: Grading each selection in 2021

Round 2: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

The prime offensive tackles were off the board so the Steelers took the best player available at a position of need. Pat Freiermuth is a good receiver and shows the potential to be a very good blocker. He has good hands with enough speed (4.72/40) to rip it up the seem. Freiermuth has the qualities the team likes in their in-line TEs. He was a team captain at Penn State. I didn’t love his tape, but he was the 2nd best TE in the class and his upside is undeniable. Grade: B

Round 3: Kendrick Green, C, Illinois

Kendrick Green is a strong run blocker with extensive zone experience. Stout at the point of attack, he has good movement skills for pulling and trapping. Green consistently handles his primary assignment and gets to the 2nd level as a move blocker. He is a solid pass blocker, and a durable player with 33 straight starts in his career. Green will challenge B.J. Finney for starting center duties. Grade: B+

Round 4: Dan Moore Jr., OT, Texas A&M

It was a little early to draft a reserve o-linemen, which is what Dan Moore figures to be. He is good at both run and pass blocking, but not great at anything. Moore could be a solid backup swing tackle. He probably would have been on the board later in the draft and WR would’ve been a better value pick since good ones were still available. Grade: C-

Round 4 (comp): Buddy Johnson, ILB, Texas A&M

Okay, we have Devin Bush, Vince Williams, Robert Spillane, and Ulysees Gilbert. Avery Williamson is a phone call away. Do we really need another ILB? Johnson had good production with 209 tackles and 23.5 for a loss during his career. He’s a busy inside defender with similar traits athletic to Devin Bush. Johnson ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He is a team leader whose intangibles, obviously, impressed the Steelers. Buddy Johnson is a pretty good player but the value of this pick is questionable. Grade: B-