Let's face it, the Steelers need to get tougher in their run game, and in their run defense.
Art Rooney II's commitment to improve the Steelers' run game hasn't resulted in new game changers during free agency, which means those investments are coming in the NFL Draft. This is a year to do that with very good prospects both in the offensive line and at running back available in the first two rounds.
As I wrote yesterday, the Steelers signing Kalen Ballage only furthers the notion that they're planning on making an investment at running back early. But where Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin invest in the offensive line is a different question.
Between signing Zach Banner, Joe Haeg, and Rashad Coward, Colbert has made a concerted effort to bring depth around his line. Assuming the starters are Banner, Chukwuma Okorafor, David DeCastro and Kevin Dotson, that's a good group to have, but it needs a center. B.J. Finney isn't the answer as a starter, but would be fine as another depth piece.
When to get the center is the question, as there are a good group who could be selected all the way into round three. But making sure that player is an anchor to the offensive line for years will be the key. Selecting Maurkice Pouncey was the first piece to putting together the Steelers' offensive line of the 2010s, and it would make sense to find that player for the next era.
But the team still needs a running back who can be a playmaker, as well as multiple players who can contribute next year at important spots on defense. The Steelers need players who can help with their depth against the run while still contributing against the pass so they don't run into the same problems they did against the Browns in the playoffs.
This is a draft with several players of that caliber who will be available in the second and third rounds. So finding a way to maximize getting those players by trading for another pick would be beneficial to achieve that goal.
That's why I keep looking at opportunities for the Steelers to trade back in the first round. Rookies capable of starting immediately at running back and center would still be available later in the first than pick 24, and doing so could net the team another third round pick while still getting a major target in the first round.
That's why I traded back for my first mock, using Pro Football Network's simulator.
The offer I got was from the Browns, who wanted to trade up to 24 from 26, and swapped the Steelers' compensatory fourth round pick at 140 for the Browns' third round pick at 89. Thats a very big climb up in the third round for only a short drop in the first. Should the Steelers get an opportunity like that, it could be too good to pass up.
Round 1, Pick 26: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma: Humphrey is the top center of this draft class. Some might say that's Alabama's Landon Dickerson, but I am wary of picking Dickerson considering he's taken serious injuries in 4 of his 5 NCAA seasons. At 6-foot-4, 302 lbs., Humphrey has the size and strength to dominate A-gap against even larger sized nose tackles. I was hesitant about picking him in the first round at the start of the draft process, but he had a strong pro day that showed his capabilities 29 bench press reps, 112 inches in his broad jump, 33 inches in his vertical jump, 7.50 seconds in his 3-cone drill, and 4.49 seconds in his shuttle. All of those rank among the top ten in offensive linemen who've had pro days so far. His experience and physical talents would make him an instant starter and asset.
Round 2, Pick 55: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina: The Steelers getting their man in Williams would be another instant starter for the offense. Paired with Humphrey, the two would be a quick upstarts in the run game. He's also the only running back of this class' top three backs who would last this far. If Najee Harris and Travis Etienne aren't selected by the Steelers in the first round, Williams is their last resort as a for-sure starter in 2021. Williams is a strong runner with great burst to make him dangerous in between the tackles, make defenders miss and take on contact fine, drawing comparisons to the Browns' Nick Chubb.
Round 3, Pick 87: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan: Doubling up on Michigan linebackers would be an interesting option to solidify the middle of the Steelers' defense. McGrone was Michigan's replacement for Devin Bush when he was drafted in 2019, and looks like a solid option who could last to the third round. McGrone isn't among elite cover linebackers in this class, but he's good enough with the sturdiness and strength against the run. Pairing him with Bush would allow the Steelers two guys in the middle with athleticism who can run sideline-to-sideline against the run, and give Bush a partner who can better deal with offensive linemen in the hole.
Round 3, Pick 89: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington: After sitting out 2020, Tryon could slip down the draft boards despite being an explosive edge defender with solid hands at the point of attack and quick footwork to win leverage against the run and get around offensive tackles. He's not an immediate starter, but like Alex Highsmith, he has a high ceiling to be a good edge defender in a 3-4 defense. And that might be enough to be a solid backup option for T.J. Watt and Highsmith in 2021.
Round 4, Pick 128: James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati: Wiggins is a rangy safety who can both help in deep coverage and in the slot. He's 6-foot-0, 205 lbs. with plenty of experience breaking up passes at different parts of the field. He didn't play in 2019, but he had six breakups with an interception in 2020, and four interceptions with five breakups in 2018. He would be a decent prospect to be a savvy backup option for both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds, as well as give the Steelers another prospect to fill Mike Hilton's spot as a slot defender.
Round 6, Pick 216: Quintin Morris, TE, Bowling Green: The only realistic options to help the Steelers at tight end in 2021 are Pat Freiermuth and Brevin Jordan, but both would take being selected either late in the first round or early in the second round. Finding a tight end can take a backseat to next year while addressing more pressing positions on offense. Morris is a decent enough blocker off the snap who needs to work on finishing more, but he would be an interesting project for training camp.
Round 7, Pick 245: Jason Pinnock, CB, Pitt: Pinnock's profile hasn't been too high, but he would be a good project in the late rounds at cornerback. His 6-foot-1, 205 lbs. frame gives him the chance to compete with bigger NFL receivers, and his excellent pro day showed he has other attributes to contribute as an NFL player. He won't live on an island in the Steelers' defense like he did at Pitt, and he's shown solid experience on special teams that could help him earn a roster spot. Also, Clemson receiver Cornell Powell named Pinnock as one of the two best cornerbacks he faced in his collegiate career.
Round 7, Pick 254: Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU: Tonga is a big-bodied defensive tackle who is lacking in fundamentals with a lot to clean up. At 6-foot-4, 322 lbs., Tonga would fit the bill of a bigger defensive line option like the Steelers have picked in recent years in Carlos Davis and Isaiah Buggs.
