5 college players that Steelers fans need to watch in 2021

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Desmond Ridder is coming off a big season with the Cincinnati Bearcats. He was able to help lead them to the Peach Bowl, where they lost by three points. That is still a huge accomplishment for a smaller program to go toe-to-toe with a big SEC school, and Ridder was a leading force with this team heading in a positive direction.

Ridder has had a solid career with some inconsistencies but last season showed his potential in the future. The Steelers need to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger when he retires and now might be the time. It is rumored to be his last go-around and Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins are clearly not the answer.

This prospect is still going to have a lot to prove throughout this season and leading to the draft. He has both a strong arm and extreme mobility, which are great assets to an NFL offense. Speed and dual-threat action are what many teams demand from young quarterbacks coming into the league. The pocket-passer has become a dying breed so Ridder will have an opportunity to become a starter at the next level.

Ridder seems to be a day two option now for most teams but he could become a first-round talent if he can build off of last season and grow his stats show more consistency with his throwing. If he can do that, then this will be a great prospect to pay attention to when the black and gold hand in their selection card on draft night.

The Steelers will have a lot of holes to fill in the 2022 NFL Draft. Some of these players could be potential draft selections when that time comes in late April.