4 NFL Draft prospects Steelers can’t pass on in first round in April

Steelers should draft Linderbaum

The second offensive lineman on this list, Tyler Linderbaum has been a road grader while at Iowa. While Cross has the higher upside in terms of potential and position he plays, Linderbaum fills the bigger need at the moment. The team’s interior of the line has been underwhelming so far in 2021. Worse yet, arguably their best starter, Trai Turner, is set to be a free agent and likely won’t be back. An interior lineman will have to be added sooner than later.

Linderbaum has put up three years of impressive tape at Iowa. Known for his toughness and aggressive blocking, Linderbaum would easily be a day one starting lineman along the interior. While center is arguably his best position, he has the talent to kick to guard if needed. He is a bit on the smaller side, but he has some room to add NFL strength which should only better his game. His technique is great for a potential rookie though, meaning he should be a quality day one starter.

The real question is what the Steelers would do with him. Green has had his struggles at center, but moving him back to guard, where he played in college, would be a quick reaction to a bad rookie season. Meanwhile, Linderbaum has been a center all throughout college and would need to learn how to be a guard if he moved. No matter what they did with him though, he would be a tough prospect to pass on if he fell due to his impressive technique, position flexibility, and the need that he would fill.