NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has unveiled his favorites picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, and is praising the Pittsburgh Steelers for their third rounder.
Pittsburgh drafted former Illinois guard Kendrick Green with the 87th overall selection, and Zierlein is expecting him to make an immediate impact.
“The former Illini lineman is tremendously quick off the snap, and his move blocking should allow the Steelers to widen out their rushing attack and get defenders off their spots. I would be surprised if he’s not an early starter,” Zierlein writes.
Green also saw time at center with the Illini, and is likely going to step in right away and replace the recently retired Maurkice Pouncey in the center of the Steelers’ offensive line.
Green’s development and early contributions will be paramount in righting a Steelers rushing attack that finished dead last in the NFL in 2020.