Another Major Mock Draft Links Steelers to Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw

For the second day in a row, a major national mock draft has the Steelers selecting Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw.


Dane Brugler of The Athletic predicted that the Steelers will trade up with the Miami Dolphins to take Darrisaw with the No. 18 overall selection, in exchange for their first, third and sixth-round picks.

On Wednesday, ESPN analyst Todd McShay predicted that Darrisaw will fall to the Steelers at No. 24 to be their selection. Brugler thinks that waiting for the big Hokie might be a risky proposition.

“They can sit at No. 24 and hope a tackle falls to them, but with tackle-needy teams like the Bears and Colts in front of them, trading a third-rounder and sixth-rounder to secure the position is a small price to pay,” Brugler wrote.

The Steelers will almost certainly have a need at tackle, as both 2020 opening day starters are set to enter free agency and there seems to be almost no chance that longtime left tackle Alejandro Villanueva will return.

Zach Banner, who started one game at right tackle before being lost to the season to an ACL injury, is also an unrestricted free agent. His replacement, Chukwuma Okorafor, is entering the final season of his contract, as well.

Darrisaw (6-foot-5, 314 pounds) was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2020 and helped lead the Hokies to the nation’s tenth-ranked rushing attack, while averaging just two sacks per game against.

A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Darrisaw was a three-year starter for the Hokies, making 34 starts over his career before leaving for the draft after his junior season.