NFL Draft 2021: 3 best outcomes for Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 1

NFL Draft 2021: Kwity Paye and the 3 best scenarios for Pittsburgh Steelers in first round

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 02: Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines in action on defense during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 2, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. Michigan defeated Maryland 38-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Kwity Paye falls to Steelers at 24

Bud Dupree’s departure in free agency leaves the Steelers in need of pass-rushing help in this year’s draft. It’s not a need Pittsburgh absolutely has to fill in Round 1, but the team should pounce on a prospect like Paye if he falls to them at No. 24.

Admittedly, the chances of the former Michigan standout falling that far are pretty small. Plenty of pundits consider him to be the top edge rusher in this class due to his combination of size and burst off the edge.

With that being said, this isn’t viewed as a particularly strong group of defensive ends. That could cause the entire position group to fall farther than most experts predict on Thursday night. A late Round 1 run on edge rushers isn’t out of the question.

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If a few teams fancy prospects like Jaelan Phillips or Azeez Ojulari over Paye it’s possible he can fall far enough to land in Pittsburgh’s lap. That would represent the best possible outcome for the team in Round 1. Paye might not be the sexiest selection the Steelers can make, but he’d fit their defense like a glove in 2021.

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