5 players Steelers should draft in the first round

1. Christian Darrisaw

With all due respect to Smith-Schuster, it’s Alejandro Villanueva’s impending free agency that really keeps Pittsburgh’s coaching staff up at night. If the team can’t bring him back into the fold, they need to find a new starting left tackle as early as they can in this year’s draft.

Darrisaw isn’t in Penei Sewell’s class as a prospect, but he still projects as a solid starter at one other league’s most important positions. That would clearly make him an exceptional value for Pittsburgh at No. 24.

His best asset as a prospect is his ability to really move his feet in space. That makes him a good pass blocker and also gives him the chance to really impact the run game on pulls and outside zones. The Steelers might prefer more of a mauler, but that’s not a common quality for a left tackle coming out of school.

Darrisaw’s current weakness is the lack of functional strength he demonstrates at the point of attack. Fortunately, he has the sort of frame that should be able to efficiently add weight without sacrificing mobility. Darrisaw is just the sort of high-floor, high-ceiling tackle prospect that Pittsburgh should covet in the first round.