I've written Carter's Classroom analyses on several key positions of this NFL Draft over the past month, including running backs, centers, and linebackers.
Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert said Monday that the Steelers are looking to Chuks Okorafor as a starter at left tackle and Zach Banner to start at right tackle, but that doesn't mean they'll ignore this year's class at offensive tackle.
They could wait until the later rounds to address the position, but if they choose to invest at the position in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, there would be several options who could battle for snaps as a starter in 2021.
The consensus top tackles of this class aren't going to be available when the Steelers pick at 24. Penei Sewell most likely won't make it past the Bengals' fifth overall pick. Rashawn Slater and Christian Darrisaw each shouldn't make it past top 15 picks. All of them look dominant and there are more than enough teams needing help at the position for these three to still be around.
Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Jenkins is a player whose tenacity earned him a strong reputation in the Big 12. The 6-foot-6, 315 lbs. tackle was as an asset as both a pass blocker and a strong run blocker. He also brings the athleticism to move and hit in space, which helps him get to the second level and block linebackers at key points.
Watch how he worked as the left tackle at No. 72 against Iowa State. You can see how he blew up the defensive end so much that he was able to work his way to the linebacker, who he ended up pancaking:
When Jenkins gets control of a defender, he buries them.
That's what makes him a player who most likely won't make it out of the first round. He should most likely be available for the Steelers to take at 24, but also could be a tackle who teams behind the Steelers might generate interest to trade up for the Steelers' pick.
Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
Radunz is a tackle who gets graded anywhere from being a late first round pick to a mid second round pick. Although he didn't play last season, his tape does show a more than competent pass protector capable of getting active in the run game.
At 6-foot-5, 304 lbs., Radunz is very good at using his hands quickly to maximize his arm extension and maintain leverage against pass rushers. When he practiced before the Senior Bowl, he looked like hadn't lost much of a step after not playing for a year. Watch this rep in practice where he stonewalled Rashad Weaver, first on a swim move to the outside, and then again on his eventual counter spin move to the inside:
The moves were stifled before Weaver could complete them.
It's also important to note Radunz' footwork in the play. You can see how quickly his feet chopped underneath him as he maintained a strong position and maintaining his balance so that he could be prepared for various moves to get past him.
Having protected Trey Lance, Radunz looks like a well-rounded tackle who is used to being a big factor in pass protection. I don't see the Steelers making the move for Radunz at 24, but if he's there in the second at 55 that would be a tough opportunity to pass up. But that's where also trading back in the first round could help if the Steelers could acquire an earlier second round pick and have three selections available on day two.
Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Cosmi is a prospect I've seen projected to go as early as the middle of the first round and as late as the end of the second round. He's taller and a tad leaner than other tackles at 6-foot-7, 300 bs. but also has a nastiness to him that is fun to watch when he gets engaged in the run game.
Watch how he engaged No. 90 from Oregon and carried him to the sideline before burying him with a solid pancake:
Fun, right?
The problems I see with Cosmi is inconsistency with his hand techniques and sometimes being overaggressive. He misses opportunities that better defensive linemen exploit to either stalemate him or get past him to hit the quarterback or blow up a run play.
Cosmi's another player who if he's available at 55 would be an enticing pick for Colbert. But with the many teams needing tackles, he could be long gone.
Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
There are few tackles in this class that have the athleticism Mayfield flashed to get to the second level or hit moving defenders while maintaining leverage. He's 6-foot-5, 319 lbs. and strong enough to take on larger defenders against the run.
Here's a play where he lined up at right tackle and caught Alabama and caught a defender working a twist into his gap. Notice how he got his hands into the chest of his man and drove him seven yards before he disengaged:
There are plenty of plays where he flashed the ability to hit defenders in different spaces.
But with only 15 starts in college, Mayfield still needs more experience to polish his game. He also only played in two games during 2020, which is something that hurt his stock. He'll most likely be available in the second round, and possibly when the Steelers pick at 55. That's where it may come down to him or picking a center to boost the line.
Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
Brown is my favorite tackle who will definitely be available in the second round and possible even the third. He's from the smaller Missouri Valley Conference, but he makes up for that being a behemoth at 6-foot-9, 314 lbs. He doesn't overly rely on his size either, showing solid discipline in his play to maintain leverage and bully opponents on occasion.
Watch this play where he fires off as Northern Iowa's right tackle to blow up No. 53, before moving to the linebackers and sealing off two with a single block:
That's taking care of three guys in one play, and fantastic effort to not be settled with an initial victory.
Brown isn't the athlete like Mayfield or Jenkins who can get going and hit in space that well, but he's a huge towering and powerful tackle who could be an important component to establishing some dominance on the ground in the near future.
Whether the Steelers select any of these guys or address the position later in the NFL Draft, it's important that they add to the position to provide depth.