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A pattern is starting to emerge. As more and more NFL draft pundits put out mock drafts for 2021 there is a definite trend surrounding the first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Offensive line and more specifically Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith keeps showing up. This is the case for the latest one-round mock draft for ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay as well.
Here’s what McShay had to say about the pick of Smith to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh could go in a lot of different directions with this pick, including edge rusher, defensive tackle, linebacker, safety or running back. Quarterback is not out of the question either. But zero starting offensive linemen are under contract beyond the 2021 season. Both tackles are actually hitting free agency after the 2020 season, though Smith is better projected at guard in the NFL. Smith is a plug-and-play starter who could be a long-term replacement at left guard for Stefen Wisniewski, with the versatility to move around, despite a bit of injury history to consider.
Given the Steelers could lose Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva to free agency at the end of the season it makes a lot of sense for the Steelers to go after a player with the potential to play guard or tackle at a high level.
If the first round really does play out like this, the Steelers should have their pick of top notch athletes at multiple positions of need including edge rusher, defensive lineman and off-ball linebacker.
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