Pittsburgh Steelers prep for the future in 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Round 5, Pick 209
At this point in this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have addressed their glaring and immediate needs for the most part. It’s also much more difficult to find starters this late in the draft, but this depth pick could be one of the best in the 2021 NFL Draft by whoever makes it. In this case, it’s the Steelers.
James Conner could become a free agent and while we’ve witnessed flashes from Benny Snell and heard of the potential of Anthony McFarland, the Steelers are without a clear running back of the future for the first time in a long time. In steps Jaret Patterson.
Being in the MAC, Patterson is somehow still flying under the radar. He’s in the record books at Buffalo more than once and broke the school’s single-game rushing record at least three times. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at Buffalo, including during the six-game 2020 schedule. His skills are off the charts and so is his potential. No matter where he lands, he could end up being the steal of the draft.
Round 7, Pick 240
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. IOL. Oklahoma State. 7. player. Josh Sills. 856
Offensive line depth is always a good investment in any draft, but in a year where the Steelers could lose multiple pieces on the line, it becomes even more important. While this pick might not blow anyone away or be slated as a potential steal, it’s still vital to keeping the Steelers at the level they’ve been.
At 6-foot-6, 325 Josh Sills has the frame to be an impactful lineman in the NFL. The key for Pittsburgh will be to hone his skills to get him to the level he could be.
Round 7, Pick 249
2242. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 7. TE. Bowling Green. Quintin Morris. player
While we’ve talked about the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey, he isn’t the only impactful retirement from the Steelers’ roster. Vance McDonald is stepping away, which could open the door for Pittsburgh to draft a tight end.
In this 2021 NFL mock draft, that tight end is Quintin Morris from Bowling Green. A wide receiver turned tight end, Morris has an athletic skill set and background that could be useful in Pittsburgh.
Over his first three seasons with Bowling Green, Morris hauled in 13 touchdowns before putting together quite the hurdle highlight at the Senior Bowl this year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to the Mid-American Conference, see Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown for reference among countless others, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see them take two more in the 2021 NFL Draft.