ESPN’s Todd McShay has Steelers Drafting Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw

Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister 3 looks to run behind lineman Tyrell Smith 77 the second half of the Virginia Tech - North Carolina State NCAA football game in Blacksburg Va. Saturday September 26 2020. Virginia Tech won the game 45-24.(AP Photo / The Roanoke Times, Matt Gentry, Pool)

ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has released his latest mock draft, and has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting an offensive tackle in the first round.

McShay is projecting the Steelers to draft Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw with the No. 24-overall pick.

While McShay acknowledges Pittsburgh’s needs across the board, he believes those along the offensive line are most pressing, especially with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likely returning next season.

He also points out that the Steelers could potentially lose all of their tackles with starting experience over the next two offseasons, beginning with left tackle Alejandro Villanueva this year.

Not only does Pittsburgh need to ensure protection for Roethlisberger or the next quarterback, but they also need to revitalize their run game. The Steelers had the league’s worst rush offense last season, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

Standing at 6-foot-5, 314 lbs, Darrisaw was a three-year starter for the Hokies. He made 34 career starts, and earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2020.

Adept as both a pass and run blocker, Darrisaw helped lead Virginia Tech to the nation’s tenth-ranked rushing attack last season. Hokies also allowed just two sacks a game in pass protection.

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