Along with all other 21 starters, Ndamukong Suh is back with the Bucs in an attempt to run it back for the Super Bowl champs. If Barmore slips to this point, he represents good value (19th on our big board) as a long-term replacement for the 34-year-old Suh.
The redshirt sophomore had 9.5 tackles for loss including eight sacks and three forced fumbles in 2020 and played his best football down the stretch. Six of Barmore's sacks came in the final six games of the season and Georgia edge rusher Azeez Ojulari was the only SEC defender to record more sacks in 2020.
If the draft falls this way, general manager Jason Licht might be very nearly as excited on draft day as he was with the Bucs winning the Super Bowl. Rousseau is certainly raw, but he's also supremely gifted and would have time to learn behind a similarly-built and talented (but aging) Jason Pierre-Paul.
The Bucs could do anything here, including auctioning the pick to whichever team wants the sixth QB in the draft (Davis Mills.) Because they return all their starters and have no holes, this pick can be all about depth and all about 2022. Dickerson has an injury history, no doubt, but he also allowed just one sack in 800 pass-block snaps the past two years and played all five positions in college.
Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the Bucs have done a nice job retaining key players for another run at the championship, but there is no such thing as too much pass rush. Tryon is still developing his pass rush arsenal, but his body type and athleticism could easily land him in the first round.
With 22 starters back from a Super Bowl winner, the Bucs are in a glorious position here. Harris should supplant Leonard Fournette in time if this happens, and we can see Bruce Arians falling for a back who mimics some of the things David Johnson did for him in Arizona.
General manager Jason Licht has done a great job putting together a great core, and the Bucs are essentially bringing back the exact same roster for 2021. That's not a terrible idea when you've just won the Super Bowl. One spot where they could get younger is defensive tackle. Barmore could replace Ndamukong Suh long term and play next to elite nose tackle Vita Vea. Barmore has some potential as a 3-technique pass-rusher.
I don't know where Mills goes exactly, but the buzz around the league is that he could be a first-round pick and will most likely be the sixth quarterback selected. I'll throw him to Tampa Bay, where he can learn from a pretty good QB1.
Without a first-round pick in 2020, the Steelers have used their last seven first-round picks (2013-2019) on defense. One of those first-rounders (Bud Dupree, 2015) departed via free agency this offseason. While I don't think there's any chance that they let another of those first-rounders (T.J. Watt, 2017) hit free agency in 2022, he's currently scheduled to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
Leading the SEC with 9.5 sacks in 10 games last year, the 20-year-old redshirt sophomore closed his collegiate career with three sacks and two forced fumbles in Georgia's bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Bringing back Ben Roethlisberger on a one-year deal means the Steelers recognize their window to compete could be closing fast. Even with James Conner having signed with Arizona as a free agent, Pittsburgh has plenty of other backs on the roster. Who among them, however, is a difference-maker? Williams is viewed by some scouts as this year's best back and would offer immediate impact potential.
We could name any number of needs for Pittsburgh heading into the draft but let's address the obvious one first. Leatherwood can play guard or tackle but has the physical tools to settle in at tackle over the long haul if that's what's needed.
The Steelers need blocking help for Ben Roethlisberger. Center Maurkice Pouncey retired and guard Matt Feiler went to the Chargers in free agency, while left tackle Alejandro Villanueva remains unsigned as a free agent.
Harris is highly skilled at toggling between patience and power to press holes and maximize each run. And with his ability as a pass-catcher, he gives the Steelers an immediate impact player who can help the organization contend this season.
The retirement of Maurkice Pouncey means the Steelers need a center. Their run game has slogged, and Ben Roethlisberger needs all the protection he can receive. Dickerson is a massive mauler with versatility to play any of the three interior spots and possesses the exact temperament the Steelers seek.
The problem: His torn ACL in December (along with a lengthy medical history) leave his short- and long-term health in question. Dickerson could go late first round ... or tumble well into Day 2 if the medical reports come back ugly. Alabama RB Najee Harris was another player we thought long and hard about here.
The Steelers could go with an offensive lineman here, as center Maurkice Pouncey retired, tackle Matt Feiler left in free agency and free-agent tackle Alejandro Villanueva is still unsigned. But I'd love to see Harris in this offense to take the pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He could grind down defenses as a runner and help in the short passing game. If Harris goes in Round 1, he'll be the fifth Alabama running back picked in the first round since 2000. The others: Josh Jacobs (2019), Trent Richardson (2012), Mark Ingram (2011) and Shaun Alexander (2000). Notably absent is Derrick Henry, who was a second-round pick in 2016 and somehow just had an underrated 2,000-yard campaign.
The ACL tear in the SEC Championship Game will scare off a lot of teams, but if Pittsburgh needs anything, it's a way to immediately address an ailing run game. Dickerson is supposed to be healthy by the start of the season. Will he be anything close to Maurkice Pouncey? Of course not ... yet.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Kansas City Chiefs from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
Before the Chiefs released starting (but injured) tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, it would have been reasonable to slot a tackle here given how much pressure they allowed in the Super Bowl. With both tackles no longer on the roster, it's become even more of a pressing need for 2021 and beyond. While he lacks ideal length and strength, Cosmi was a three-year starter at Texas with experience at both right tackle (2018) and left tackle (2019, 2020) and possesses outstanding athleticism.
It's difficult to not force an offensive tackle in here, and maybe the Chiefs reach a little for Notre Dame's Liam Eichenberg or Michigan's Jalen Mayfield. But the class is deep enough that they could find a solid tackle in Round 2, and the signings of Joe Thuney and Kyle Long -- along with the return of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif -- at least help shore up the interior. And edge rushing is a big concern too. Ojulari is a real specialist there, and a quartet of Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Jarran Reed and Ojulari could be problematic for opposing QBs.
The Chiefs cutting starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher makes it a near certainty they take an offensive lineman with this pick -- unless they fall in love with one of the best players available. Cosmi is experienced and durable after starting three seasons for the Longhorns at both left and right tackle.
The Super Bowl shined a very bright light on the importance of a competent offensive line. At the time, we could chalk up the incompetence of the KC O-Line in the Super Bowl to injuries, but now it's a more permanent problem with the release of both of their starting tackles. KC has addressed the inside of the line by signing the best available in Joe Thuney and also enticing Kyle Long out of retirement but could still use some help on the outside. They were reportedly in on Trent Williams before he re-signed with the 49ers.
Eichenberg is a three-year starter at left tackle at Notre Dame and gives KC an experienced college player who can step in and contribute on Day 1.
The greatness of Patrick Mahomes has made up for the mediocrity of his offensive line since he became the starter. Joe Thuney was a nice addition at guard. Cosmi is capable of starting at right tackle day one, but has the ability to protect Mahomes' blindside eventually.
The Chiefs went all out to sign guard Joe Thuney in free agency, giving him a five-year, $80 million deal. They followed that up by coaxing Kyle Long out of retirement on a one-year, $1.5 million pact. Still, after releasing both starting tackles from last season (Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz), this offensive line needs more reinforcements. Enter Eichenberg. Although he hasn't generated much first-round hype, I could see a tackle-needy team jumping at the chance to grab him. Eichenberg brings length, technical savvy, and experience, with 38 college starts under his belt.
Kansas City revamped its offensive line after a very poor Super Bowl showing. Gone are tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher and guards Austin Reiter and Kelechi Osemele. In are guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, and Mike Remmers at right tackle. That still leaves a hole at left tackle. Alijah Vera-Tucker played the shortened 2020 season at left tackle, but he also has lots of experience at guard, giving Kansas City extra flexibility if needed.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Pittsburgh Steelers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
Previous iterations of my mock have seen the Steelers target offense here -- either OT (Mock 5.0) or RB (Mock 4.0), as examples. Letting Bud Dupree depart via free agency, however, it would be reasonable for the Steelers to add a replacement here.
While I don't think there's any chance that the Steelers let T.J. Watt hit free agency in 2022, he's currently scheduled to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. Leading the SEC with 9.5 sacks in 10 games, the 20-year-old edge rusher had three sacks and two forced fumbles in Georgia's bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Teven Jenkins is tempting here. He's a mauler on the offensive line, and the Steelers must rebuild that unit from the ground up. Ultimately, I went in a different direction because the lineman class is deep -- I have more than a dozen in this mock -- and running back is just as much of a concern. Harris is a powerful back who is nearly impossible to stop between the tackles. The Steelers' 3.6 yards per carry ranked dead last in the NFL last season, and it doesn't appear that James Conner is returning, currently leaving the rushing to an unproven group of Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., Kalen Ballage and Jaylen Samuels. Let's get an impact running back.
Losing Alejandro Villanueva, Maurkice Pouncey and Matt Feiler creates some holes on the offensive line, which becomes even more important when protecting a 39-year-old quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. Jenkins is a mauler in the running game, something the Steelers need to fix after abandoning it completely last season.
If the Steelers are going to give it another go with Big Ben at the helm, they are going to have to try and protect him so look for them to go offensive line here especially given their starting left tackle is now a free agent. Mayfield is another guy who can play outside or move in depending on what the Steelers do in the offseason but he should be able to help either way.
The Steelers are facing difficult decisions at almost every major position after this season, but it's clear the offensive line has to be a priority. Vera-Tucker was one of the best offensive tackles in the country, but could also shine on the interior in the NFL.
The Steelers desperately need to fix their porous offensive line. While re-signing tackle Zach Banner and adding B.J. Finney and Joe Haeg in free agency was a start, the team can't stop there. Dickerson comes with injury concerns--he had four season-ending injuries in five college seasons--but he's a big, burly brawler who'd be an instant starter for Pittsburgh at center. He has experience playing all five offensive line positions too, giving the team some coveted versatility up front.
The Steelers' offensive line struggled this season, and that was before Maurkice Pouncey retired and Alejandro Villanueva tested free agency. Pittsburgh never has been shy about taking interior linemen in the first round, and they do so here with Landon Dickerson, a big, tough center with great strength.
This could be a perfect fit thanks to Dickerson's ability to play guard or center. However, the number of career injuries are mounting (suffered season-ending ligament damage in December), and his medicals will be a focus. Great leader and great fit if healthy.
The Packers' lack of depth on the front line was exposed during the playoffs. Mayfield is a natural right tackle with the potential to play inside or outside at the next level.
Like Baltimore and a pass rusher, it's going to be hard to mock anything but a wide receiver to the Packers. Green Bay clearly needs a No. 2 guy to go along with Davante Adams. Montez Valdes Scantling is a decent player, but his production is wildly inconsistent.
We've spent a year talking about how the Packers should've taken a big-play wide receiver in the 2020 draft. Well, better late than never. Marshall is a touchdown-scoring receiver who'd pair perfectly with Davante Adams, giving Aaron Rodgers another playmaker in one-on-one situations and another mismatch creator in the red zone.
Maybe GM Brian Gutekunst finally gets a bona fide complement to Davante Adams and more help for QB Aaron Rodgers? Toney had a breakout senior year for the Gators, amassing 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 scores. He's got the explosive ability to consistently burn No. 2 corners and should only blossom while learning how to fine-tune his routes with help from the masterful Adams.
Did you watch the Packers' secondary get torched by the Bucs in the first half of the NFC Championship Game? 2017 second-round pick Kevin King, who is now a free agent, was picked on by Tom Brady. Green Bay has to find a consistent starter opposite Jaire Alexander. Campbell has the talent to be that guy, though he had an up-and-down career at Georgia. His issue? He was too inconsistent from snap to snap. But the former five-star prospect is a gifted athlete in a 6-2 frame, and this pick is all about projecting him to improve under NFL coaching. Based on talent alone, Campbell would be a top-15 pick, but his tape could see him drop to Round 2.
I know the Packers don't traditionally draft wide receivers in the first round, but I love this potential fit. They don't have anyone with Atwell's skill set on their offense. He is a blur who can be utilized on jet sweeps and to stretch the field. He would be the perfect complement to Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.
Aaron Jones is about to become expensive, and backups Jamaal Williams and Tyler Ervin are also hitting the open market. Former second-round pick A.J. Dillon could take over as the lead ball-carrier, but he doesn't provide the pass-catching chops of Etienne, who had 102 receptions for 1,155 yards and eight touchdowns in his four-year career.
The Steelers ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (84.4) and while they rank bottom five in rush attempts (373), they also rank last in the league in yards per carry (3.6). Meanwhile James Conner, who is in the final year of his deal, has struggled to stay on the field.
As a two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Etienne surprised many by returning to school in 2020, but he would offer the Steelers a three-down home run threat that has improved as a receiver over the past two seasons.
The Steelers are facing difficult decisions at almost every major position after this season, but it was clear they were a one-dimensional offense for most of 2020 and James Conner could leave in free agency. I was shocked when Etienne decided to return for his senior season, but he re-enforced everything I liked about him the previous three seasons. He's a three-down threat who has an uncanny nose for the end zone.
Ben Roethlisberger's future in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Steelers already know his successor isn't on the roster. Jones is a tough prospect to evaluate because of the perfect situation around him at Alabama, but he deserves credit for his poise in the pocket and consistent decision-making.
The Steelers are destined to hit the reset button. Ben Roethlisberger's arm is worn out and there are several key free agents that Pittsburgh is unlikely to be able to retain. Teams are built in the trenches and Eichenberg is a polished blocker that improved every season at Notre Dame. He profiles as a long-term starter in the NFL and the Pittsburgh offensive line is in need of some youth.
James Conner is playing out the final few games of his rookie deal and might not return. If he doesn't, running back will be a hole. Benny Snell looked adequate this season when called upon, but Harris is different. His 1,387 rushing yards are third in the FBS this season, and he has averaged two scores on the ground per game. Speed, power, pass-catching and pass-protection ability, Harris brings it all.
On the quarterback front, Pittsburgh could potentially land one of the top five guys, but a deeper option also could be in the mix if Ben Roethlisberger decides to retire and/or the team does not do something in free agency. Offensive line also is a big-time need, so perhaps Wyatt Davis (Ohio State) or Trey Smith (Tennessee) are in the mix.
As easy as it might be to connect Pittsburgh to a potential Ben Roethlisberger successor with this pick, fortifying the front with a stabilizing presence like Dickerson seems like a move more befitting the franchise, so long as the veteran quarterback returns for another year.
How many times did you hear about the Steelers' trouble running the football this season? They heard it too and with James Conner unlikely to be the featured guy come 2021, this is a move with an eye to get back to the team's deep-rooted identity while adding yet another weapon on offense.
