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2021 NFL Draft

Steelers Select Illinois Center/Guard Kendrick Green in 3rd Round of 2021 NFL Draft

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The Steelers selected Illinois interior offensive lineman Kendrick Green with the No. 87 overall selection in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday.

Green is a 6-foot-2, 305-pound center from Peoria, Illinois, who came out of college as a redshirt junior.

He originally joined the Illini as a four-star recruit on the defense side of the football, before redshirting in 2017 and switching to offense. He started 12 games at left guard in 2018 and 2019 before moving to center for Illinois’ bowl game in 2019. In 2020, he started eight games, five at left guard and three at center.

Green is seen as a strong run blocker in zone scheme, something the Steelers have not heavily featured in the past, but may with changes tot he offensive coaching staff.

He should immediately be placed into competition with B.J. Finney and J.C. Hassenauer to become the Steelers’ starting center following the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey.