The league was rocked by a pair of blockbuster trades on Friday, and as a result, NFL.com has released an updated four-round mock draft.
With their first round pick, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter is projecting the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft Alabama running back Najee Harris.
Harris was unstoppable during his senior campaign in Tuscaloosa, rushing for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also improved his stock as a receiver, catching 43 passes for 425 yards and four more scores in 2020.
Not only did Harris win the National Championships with the Crimson Tide in January, but he was also named a unanimous All-American and awarded the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. He would provide an immediate boost to a Steelers rushing attack that was the NFL’s worst in 2020.
With the 55th-overall selection, Reuter has Pittsburgh drafting Washington defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
Onwuzurike opted out of the 2020 season, but was a beast during the Huskies’ 2018 and 2019 campaign. He totaled 79 combined tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks over the last two seasons.
With the loss of starting nose tackle Tyson Alualu in free agency, the Steelers are in desperate need of help in the interior of their defensive line. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Onwuzurike can provide just that.
Reuter next projects the Steelers to pick Notre Dame edge rusher Daelin Hayes in the third round.
A three-year starter for the Irish, Hayes posted 97 total tackles, 20.5 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and an interception over his career.
After the departure of outside linebacker Bud Dupree, Hayes would have a chance to compete or rotate with second-year rusher Alex Highsmith for the spot opposite T.J. Watt.
After using their first three picks on the defensive side, Pittsburgh is mocked to select Texas A&M offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. in the fourth round.
Measuring in at 6-foot-5, 309 pounds, Moore has prototype size. He was three-year starter for the Aggies, earning Second-Team All-ACC honors last season.
Lastly, the Steelers are projected to use their compensatory fourth round selection on Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone.
While considered raw after playing in only 19 games at Michigan, McGrone has the physical tools to excel at the NFL level. McGrone recorded 92 total tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble during his short time in Ann Arbor.
After cutting veteran inside linebacker Vince Williams last week, the Steelers will be looking for a replacement in April’s draft. Who better to pair alongside rising star Devin Bush than a fellow Wolverine in McGrone?
The 2021 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 29 in Cleveland.