4 rookies the Steelers are regretting passing in the 2021 NFL Draft

Steelers missed on Smith

Drafted 226th overall

The question was never talent with Trey Smith, it was fit and health for the former Tennessee tackle. Smith was seen as one of the top prospects in the nation before a heart issue set him back. He was cleared to play, and he did well in his final season with the volunteers, but the needed move to guard caused more questions for the lineman. That said, him falling to the sixth round was a shock, to say the least.

Now, at the time, the Steelers appeared to be set at guard, as David DeCastro and Kevin Dotson were set to start. An unfortunate foot injury led to the release of DeCastro though, and while Trai Turner hasn’t been bad in his place, having a young stud like Smith would give the team a brighter future along the interior of the line.

Given that Smith was a late sixth-round pick though, the Steelers wouldn’t have drafted him with the expectation of him starting. When the eventual DeCastro release occurred, Smith would have been waiting to take on the starting role. Already, Smith is seen as one of the premier guards in the league and is talented when on the move. The team really missed here, especially considering the fact that the team needed some talent along their offensive line this offseason.