Pittsburgh Steelers: Complete seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft

With Ben Roethlisberger back in the fold, the Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly looking to make a long postseason run next season. While Roethlisberger is not what he once was, this is still a talented team that could legitimately compete if they catch a few breaks. That being said, there is less margin for error than the Steelers are used to having.

Let’s be honest, this is an aging team that will have a tough time making a legitimate Super Bowl run in 2021. However, with a strong showing in the draft, the Steelers could have a chance. In this seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers look to continue to put together a roster that helps them immediately compete while also having an eye on the future. Let’s see how they do.

Note: This NFL mock draft was completed using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine.

The Pittsburgh Steelers kick off this 2021 NFL mock draft with a trade down the board. With talented defensive end Kwity Paye falling further than expected, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to get aggressive and move up the board.

In this trade, the Bucs send a third and fourth-round selection to the Steelers to move up eight spots and get in a position to snag Paye. With many worthy targets remaining, the Steelers could comfortably move down these few spots and still be in a good position to land an impact player.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 32nd overall

The closer we get to the 2021 NFL Draft, the more the Pittsburgh Steelers are being connected to Alabama running back Najee Harris. The Steelers clearly like Harris as a prospect and he stands out as their most likely selection in the first round.

Trading down in this NFL mock draft does lead to the Steelers risking losing Harris, but there are other running back prospects worthy of being selected in this range if they miss out on their premier target. Regardless, Harris is still available for Pittsburgh at No. 32 in this scenario, making this an easy selection for the team.

Harris is a big and bruising back who has obvious value as an interior runner at the next level. He lacks ideal short-area quickness, but his burst through the hole and speed in the open field is consistently impressive. Harris has a fantastic combination of size, speed and power that gives him a ton of natural upside at the next level.

The offensive line undoubtedly needs some work but adding Harris to the mix would immediately take the Steelers’ rushing attack to the next level. Having a strong and capable back like Harris in the mix would round out their offense nicely. Trading down to acquire more draft capital and still landing a player of his caliber would be an ideal scenario for the team.