Steelers roster: 3 late-round rookies are locks to make the team in 2021

I typically never guarantee roster spots for day three draft picks, but these late-round rookies are essentially guaranteed to make the Steelers roster in 2021. 

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that the only things guaranteed in life are death and taxes. Well, I’m here to make a few more guarantees. Though nothing is ever certain in the game of football, I’ve got a pretty good birdseye view of who could be making the roster for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

It’s not hard to successfully predict a vast majority of players that will end up on the roster, but the last few spots always get a little bit tricky. When it comes to Pittsburgh’s draft class, early choices like Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, and Kendrick Green are all completely safe. I would add that fourth-rounders Dan Moore Jr. and Buddy Johnson are locks as well due to their draft positions and athletic upside.

However, I’ll take it a step further. Here are three late-round picks that I would consider roster locks for the Steelers in 2021:

Steelers DL Isaiah Loudermilk

In most years, a fifth-round pick would hardly be assured a spot on the final roster. But this year is a bit different. While the defensive line seemed to be Pittsburgh’s greatest strength prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, many were surprised to see them trade a fourth-round pick from 2022 to move back up and land Wisconsin defensive lineman, Isaiahh Loudermilk.

The Steelers saw something they really liked with Loudermilk (whether it was his long frame or the traits to be a potential starting 5-technique down the road. Either way, you don’t trade future draft capital for a player who isn’t guaranteed to make your roster during his rookie season. I question Pittsburgh’s decision to trade back into the draft for a defensive tackle when there were plenty of other needs on the board, but Isaiahh Loudermilk isn’t going anywhere.