Alabama Football: 2021 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 with trades

Pittsburgh protects Big Ben

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Pittsburgh has decided to bring Big Ben back for at least one more season. This might not be the right decision, but the Steelers need to do what is necessary to build around him at this stage of his career. That means that he needs quick receivers, a solid running game and a clean pocket.

Pittsburgh has always been able to develop receivers from later rounds in the draft, and the only running back worth drafting in the first round is Alabama football’s Najee Harris. With him off the board, the Steelers decide to get younger on the offensive line in this 2021 NFL mock draft.

Vera-Tucker proved himself at guard for the USC Trojans. In his final year, he made the transition to tackle. He proved that he is capable of playing left tackle, but some might prefer him to play at guard.

That’s what makes this such a good fit. The Steelers need to get younger at almost every position. They can evaluate Alijah Vera-Tucker and put him wherever they think he will play best. He can even move from year to year if their needs change over the course of his rookie contract.

Pittsburgh also needs a center, so they have to consider Alabama football’s Landon Dickerson. However, the value of the USC lineman is too much to pass up this late in the first round.