Jason La Canfora: Steelers Eyeing Four Players at No. 24
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly zeroed in on four prospects they could select with their No. 24 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who joined The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan Tuesday, the four players he continuously hears in relation to the Steelers are Alabama running back Najee Harris, North Carolina running back Javonte Williams, Alabama center Landon Dickerson and Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.
The four names @JasonLaCanfora kept coming back to in terms of what he's hearing for the Steelers at pick 24 on @937theFan:
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 27, 2021
RB Najee Harris
Edge Rusher Zaven Collins
RB Javonte Williams
C Landon Dickerson
The Harris interest is no surprise, as the Crimson Tide running back has been the most popular players mocked to the Steelers by far. Neither is the Dickerson intrigue. The Steelers find themselves with a hole at center following the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey, and Dickerson is considered an elite prospect at the position despite his injury history.
Selecting Dickerson late in the first round could be a reach for Pittsburgh, as all those injuries could cause him to drop into the second. There is a chance he is even available at No. 55.
Williams is a similar situation. While he is the consensus third-best running back in the class, making him a first round selection seems like an overreaction.
The reported interest in Collins is the most fascinating. Pittsburgh has more pressing needs in the run game and at corner, but Collins could address some depth issues both on the edge and at linebacker. Collins was a tackling machine in space for the Golden Hurricanes, but has also demonstrated the versatility to rush the passer off the edge. The flexibility to line Collins up alongside Devin Bush and opposite T.J. Watt depending on the situation makes him a weapon the Steelers would be hard pressed to pass up.
La Canfora’s report is bad news for those that believe the Steelers should select an offensive tackle in the first round, especially in lieu of a running back.
The 2021 NFL Draft gets started Thursday night in Cleveland.
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