Potential first round Steelers draft targets post free agency

Steelers could target OT Trevor Penning

While the Steelers did bring back Chukwuma Okorafor at offensive tackle this offseason, it would be foolish not to at least consider bringing in another offensive tackle in the draft. The team has very little depth at the offensive tackle position, so should draft one, even if it is later in the draft.

While it is unclear if he will be available when the Steelers pick, Trevor Penning is a player that will undoubtedly be in play for them to pick. The top three tackles will definitely be gone, as Ickey Ekwonu, Evan Neal, and Charles Cross are all projected to go in the top 10 selections, but there is a chance that Penning makes it to them.

Penning is a very raw prospect, coming out of a smaller school at Northern Iowa, however, his upside is immense. He showed dominant potential at the Senior Bowl and clearly has a tenacity that teams took a liking to. According to NFL.com, Penning stands at 6’7″, 325 lbs., and ran a 4.89 40-yard dash. His combine proved he is an athletic specimen for someone of his size, which could hurt his chances of being available at 20.

While Penning may be a bit raw, his talent is not something that can be ignored. If the Steelers selected him, it is likely he would compete with both Okorafor and Dan Moore Jr. for the starting jobs week 1, and while he may not win it from the start, he would likely take one of the jobs by year’s end.