3 reasons Kendrick Green could prove to be Steelers best draft choice

Kendrick Green wasn’t selected until late in the third round, but here’s why he could prove to be the Steelers best draft choice in 2021. 

When the Steelers took Kendrick Green with their third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, it caught me off guard a little. Despite center being arguably the biggest need on the team, Pittsburgh passed on Landon Dickerson in the first round, Creed Humphrey in the second, and Quinn Meinerz in the third to ultimately take the player they had their eyes set on.

After grinding more of Green’s tape, it’s not hard at all to see why the Steelers were attached to him. Though he doesn’t have the size of the other centers drafted above him, the Illinois product has terrific movement skills and the tenacity Pittsburgh covets at the position.

I really like Kendrick Green – so much so that I believe there’s a good chance he could prove to be the best draft choice the Steelers made this year. Here are three reasons why:

Longevity of a Steelers offensive lineman

Longevity in the NFL has to count for something. This is exactly the reason why I was not a huge fan of the Najee Harris selection in the first round. Though I do think that Harris is one of the best running backs to come out over the past three years, it’s hard to value a position that is used and abused as much as running backs are in the NFL. Even Le’Veon Bell had just three great seasons before his career fell off a cliff.

While Harris and Pat Freiermuth could prove to have long, successful NFL careers, an offensive lineman can outlast most positional groups in the league. Just take a look at this past generation with players Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, and Alejandro Villanueva. If Kendrick Green proves to be a quality starter (and he very well could), he could be the next Steelers offensive lineman that lasts well into his 30s.