The Steelers' top NFL Draft needs have been fleshed out for months. But the magic question has been where they might find the best fit in the first round with the top talents in this class.
I've done rankings on this year's top running backs, linebackers, centers, offensive tackles and even top slot options at safety and cornerback. But stacking players from different positions against each other is where things can get very tricky. My rankings are based on the Steelers' needs and my evaluations of talents.
That's why certain receivers who I actually rank among the top players in this class aren't listed until the very bottom of this list, and there aren't any edge rushers. The Steelers don't need a receiver in the first round, but if one of those amazing talents fell that far, they'd be too good to pass up.
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
We all know that ain't happening.
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
I know there are some who keep having Fields fall close to the Steelers, I just don't see it. He and Lawrence are in a class of their own, then it's the other guys.
3. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Lawrence of the offensive tackles. No chance he falls anywhere close to the Steelers.
4. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
I like Wilson as the third option at quarterback, even if he's basically slated to go to the Jets.
5. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons is my top linebacker, even if he has red flags in his past. But there's no way he falls anywhere close to 24. You can't teach 6-foot-2, 245 lbs. with a 4.39 40-yard dash.
6. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Before draft season I saw rankings that had Slater ranked as low as 20th, which led me to hope that maybe the Steelers would have a chance at such a powerful tackle. But as evaluators talked to more teams and focused more on him, that went out the window.
7. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The only tight end I'd even consider a first round pick in this class. Everyone else is a second rounder or later.
8. Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
The best pure cornerback of this class that doesn't have any red flags. He'll be gone by the top ten.
9. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Darrisaw is the top-tier tackle of this class who has the best chance to fall to 24, albeit that chance is next to none.
10. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Horn's pro day numbers and tape are amazing. If he falls, abandon all normal plans. But I don't see him getting past 15.
11. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Lance is who I see as the biggest wildcard at quarterback. After not playing in 2020, teams could be cold on him. But with how highly drafted quarterback has become, I don't see him getting too far down the list. But if he did, he would be hard to pass up.
12. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Farley is tricky because of his injury history. On tape, he could be the best of his class. But when picking a player in the first round, teams might find it too risky on a guy who's had multiple back surgeries and didn't play last season.
13. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
This is where the "he's too good to pass up for a running back" group ends. After the top twelve players, Harris and Etienne need to be the targets. Harris is the top back with the best vision, burst, power, pass protection and receiving skills.
14. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Etienne is the speed back that could change the Steelers' style of offense. If Matt Canada wants a change of pace from recent running backs, Etienne would be that, and a game changer in the backfield.
15. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
I like Owusu-Koramoah and think him and Bush would make the fastest linebacker pair in the NFL. My only reservation is his struggles dealing with blockers at the point of attack against the run. Bush needs a partner who could do that job better, which is why I wouldn't pick him above the top backs.
16. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Collins is that guy that fits that role. He's not as advanced in coverage as Owusu-Koramoah, but he's a huge linebacker with enough cover skills to pair with Bush as the bigger option.
17. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Williams is only a little behind Harris and Etienne, but enough so that I'd consider drafting a couple players between them. He's still a good power runner who would be a talented addition who starts on day one.
18. Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis is the more raw linebacker of the guys I grade in the first round, but he's also extremely athletic and strong enough to take on the run.
19. Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
Newsome is the start of the second-tier of cornerbacks in this class. Gifted with ball skills and good athleticism, he would push Cam Sutton to start at outside cornerback.
20. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
This is where I start to break on the receiver class. Chase would never fall this far, but after these guys is where I would see receiver being too good to pass up.
21. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Vera-Tucker would be a good addition, but the Steelers already have two starting guards. If the running backs are somehow magically all gone, that's when I would start to consider him and other prospects.
22. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Jenkins is when I start the second-tier of offensive tackles. He would be a good addition to the roster with a nastiness brought to the line, but not nasty enough to rank above the team's running back concerns.
23. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
With all the Steelers' talent at receiver over the years they've never needed to tap into the wide receiver U that is Alabama.
24. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Waddle is another ridiculously talented receiver that will be gone long before the Steelers pick.
There are other prospects who could fit Steelers needs if they traded back, but here are my rankings on the different positions the Steelers will be watching Thursday.
