Pittsburgh Steelers full 2021 NFL mock draft
By Nick Villano
Round 4
Pick Analysis. 128. player. Scouting Report. RB. Ohio State. Trey Sermon. 55
Trey Sermon is the kind of running back that has teams falling in love with him and his personality. He used his pro day to raise funds for domestic violence victims. He only spent one season in Columbus, but the Ohio State coaches were floored with what he brought for that one season, even if it took him a little while to get going.
Sermon’s time with Oklahoma was strange to say the least. He looked really good in an offense led by Kyler Murray, rushing for 13 touchdowns, but he wasn’t able to replicate that success with Jalen Hurts. Kennedy Brooks ended up taking over as the starting running back, and Sermon entered the transfer portal.
Sermon went completely off in the Big Ten Championship Game this last season. Northwestern had a top-20 defense coming into the game, but Sermon ran for 331 yards and two touchdowns. Against Clemson in the National Semi-Final, he ran for 193 yards and added 61 yards receiving. It took him a while to see things click, but once they did, he was nearly unstoppable.
His footwork has looked really good on film. He has a knack to make the right move at the right time without taking any extra steps. With Conner likely moving on in his NFL career, the Steelers really need some depth at the running back position.
Should Sermon take over the starting role from day one? Probably not, but he can absolutely take over the position sooner rather than later.
141. WR. Michigan. Nico Collins. player. 55. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
The Steelers have an interesting receiving unit, but if Juju Smith-Schuster leaves, the depth falls off a cliff. Chase Claypool was terrific at times last year. James Washington has shown flashes in the past, but he’s never been able to put it all together. Diontae Johnson had a major problem with drops, but if he can fix that in the offseason, the Steelers might have something here.
Nico Collins would add that one extra weapon that allows them to let someone else pay Smith-Schuster. He opted out of the 2020 season, but his performance at the Senior Bowl showed he still has NFL talent.
Collins is someone who provides something different. He can beat up cornerbacks and safeties underneath to get open. He has a toughness that has brings back memories of Anquan Boldin. He’s not a traditional speedster, but he can run past a cornerback with his second gear. He’s very elusive, and this is someone that Roethlisberger will love playing with.