Pittsburgh Steelers find immediate starters in 7-round mock draft
By Jonah Hovis
The Pittsburgh Steelers focus on winning now and adding pieces early to fill holes on the offensive side of the ball in this seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
Round 1 Pick 24: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
With the first pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in this mock draft, they go with Travis Etienne. Etienne was a high-profile prospect last year but decided to go back one more year and play for the Clemson Tigers in 2020. Etienne was a home-runner hitter in college and mad dashing plays all over the field. Etienne is dangerous in the run and pass game, adding a running back like Etienne early with help with the poor run game and add versatility to the Steelers offense.
Travis Etienne stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs around 205 pounds which is a typical size for running backs at his caliber of play. Etienne also surprised many at his Pro Day by running a very fast forty of 4.40 which helped him increase his draft stock and become arguably the best back in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Etienne is a great outside runner with lateral quickness where he can get to the second level with ease. Etienne also snagged 48 balls for 588 yards this season making him a nice option out of the backfield in the passing game.
Etienne would be a great immediate starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were dead last in rushing last year and need help in the backfield as soon as possible, even though running backs are not highly accepted to be taken in the first round of the draft. With the tools Etienne possesses and the lack of run support the Pittsburgh Steelers have it is a must for them to draft a dynamic running back in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Etienne has all the tools to be an every-down back in the NFL. He has great lateral quickness, great catching abilities, and elite speed for the position. Etienne would be paired nicely with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell to bring a thunder and lighting duo to Pittsburgh. With Big Ben running out of time and in need of offensive firepower Travis Etienne going 24th to the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a lot of sense for the current future of the Pittsburgh Steelers.