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NFL Draft

2021 NFL Draft Targets Steelers Fans Should Watch On 10/10

  • The Draft Network
  • October 7, 2020
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The Steelers were off to a red-hot start to their 2020 campaign, winning their first three games of the season, but they experienced their first setback when their Week 4 game got postponed due to their opponent, the Tennessee Titans, dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. This is the world we are living in nowadays, and rather than making excuses for it and complaining about how they have to have a Week 4 bye, the Steelers are taking it in stride and are already focused on their Week 5 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Outside of the postponed game, things have been nothing but positive for the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger looks to be fully recovered from his elbow injury that ended his season after just one game a year ago, the offensive line—which was a question mark heading into the season—is playing like a top-five unit in the league, and their defense is picking up where they left off last season. 

The Steelers are a Super Bowl contender and thus have every right to live in the present, however come the offseason they will have some difficult decisions to make. The Steelers are projected to have one of the worst cap situations in the NFL in 2021, and with players like Bud Dupree, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Hilton, James Conner, and Alejandro Villanueva all in contract years, the Steelers will undoubtedly have to let some good players walk. Adding cheap young talent through the 2021 NFL Draft will be crucial for this franchise and luckily this upcoming class has shown a lot of promise thus far in the college football season. Here are five players Steelers fans should keep an eye on this Saturday. 

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

UTSA at #15 BYU 3:30 p.m. ET

If you haven’t seen Zach Wilson play this season, you are missing out. Wilson has played lights out for the Cougars this fall and has been a huge riser on NFL big boards. Wilson currently leads the country in completion percentage at 84.5%, and also ranks second in the country in yards per attempt with 13.37. Wilson could potentially be who the Steelers target as a developmental quarterback to groom behind Roehtlisberger, who is currently 38 years old.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Mike/status/1313187416954621952?s=20

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

 #22 Texas at Oklahoma 12 p.m. ET

The Steelers' offensive line has played really well this season, but with Villanueva getting up there in age while also playing on an expiring contract, adding a young offensive tackle makes a ton of sense. Texas’ left tackle Samuel Cosmi is one of the most talented tackles in all of college football. He has an outstanding blend of athleticism and length to project as an eventual top starter at left tackle in the pros. Cosmi would be a great addition to this Steelers offensive line and would be the long-term replacement for Villanueva. 

Tedarrell Slaton, NT, Florida

 #4 Florida at #21 Texas A&M 12 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh suffered a major loss when Javon Hargrave bolted to Philadelphia in free agency, leaving a major hole at nose tackle. Tyson Alualu has actually been a pleasant surprise as a full-time starter replacing Hargrave, but Alualu is 34 years of age and is on an expiring contract. Adding a young talented nose tackle to play next to Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt just makes too much sense. Tedarrell Slaton is a mammoth of a man and is a perfect fit to play 0-tech in the Steelers' odd front defense. Slaton offers the size and strength to hold the point of attack and plays with outstanding leverage.

https://twitter.com/TheDraftNetwork/status/1312395532858392576?s=20

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

#7 Miami at #1 Clemson 7:30 p.m. ET

James Conner is having a bounce-back season this year after dealing with a nagging ankle injury in 2019. The Steelers will be forced into a tough decision on whether to pay their workhorse running back as he is playing on an expiring deal. I believe the Steelers will ultimately let him walk as his injury history is a little too concerning to commit top money to, especially at the running back position. Adding a player like Travis Etienne to this offense would be unfair. Etienne is exactly the type of back the Steelers have been looking for, and has the speed and burst to score anytime he touches the ball. Etienne has a huge matchup against conference rival Miami this Saturday, and can go a long way in improving his stock if he has a big game against the Hurricanes.

https://twitter.com/accnetwork/status/1312558548686118912?s=20

Chris Rumph, EDGE, Duke 

Duke at Syracuse 12:30 p.m. ET

The Steelers currently boast the best pass-rushing defense in the league, leading the NFL with five sacks per game. The duo of outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Dupree give the Steelers arguably the best pass-rushing combination in the entire NFL, but with Dupree playing on the franchise tag, it may be wise to look to add another pass-rusher in case he walks this offseason. Duke’s Chris Rumph is one of the best pass-rushers in all of college football, and has the versatility to play multiple spots in the Steelers' 3-4 defense. Rumph’s explosive first step quickness and ability to bend makes him a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman. 

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