3 non-quarterbacks the Steelers should consider early in the draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers may take Ben Roethlisberger’s successor early in this year’s draft, but here are three non-quarterbacks who should be on the radar.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were a fairly flimsy 11-0 team last year, so when things eroded to a 12-4 finish and a Wild Card Round loss it wasn’t that surprising. After some idea they might try to move on, or he might retire, Ben Roethlisberger will be back under center in 2021.

But this is still effectively the final year of Roethlisberger’s contract, with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins behind him on the depth chart. That makes it easy, or practically necessary, for the Steelers to consider using an early draft pick on his successor. Perhaps even in the first round, with the 24th pick. A big trade up might be on the radar too.

That said, the Steelers are surely all-in for 2021 with Roethlisberger as the quarterback. So here are three non-quarterbacks they should consider early in this year’s draft.

3 non-quarterbacks the Steelers should consider early in the draft

Alejandro Villanueva is not likely coming back at left tackle, though he remains unsigned, so the Steelers have a clear need. Jenkins played right tackle more than left tackle at Oklahoma State, before opting out six games into the 2020 season due to a hip injury. At 6-foot-6, 320 pounds he’s a better athlete than it seems, and he started a total of 35 for Mike Gundy’s Cowboys.

Jenkins has been gaining steam as a first-round pick. For the Steelers at No. 24, or maybe even with a trade up or down, he might wind up being their guy.