2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence tank pays off for Jaguars, Trey Lance to Raiders
Scouting Report. RB. player. 55. Pick Analysis. Clemson. Travis Etienne. 27
The fact that Travis Etienne made the decision to return for another season with the Clemson Tigers was perhaps the most shocking 2020 NFL Draft decision of them all. I mean, what else does this young man have to prove? He already owns the record books at Clemson and has been a key cog in dominant teams.
Regardless, the dynamic big-play threat will be terrorizing ACC defenses for another season and there’s no question that he’s only going to continue drawing rave reviews. Whenever he touches the ball, he’s a threat to go the distance with the vision, quickness, agility and top speed to hit a home run at any moment. Seriously, just watch him work:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an interesting position at running back as James Conner’s contract expires after this season. Even putting aside the general notion of paying a running back, the Steelers have to be concerned with Conner’s long-term durability and, thus, his viability.
That’s why they’re willing to use a late first-round pick on Etienne at this point. He’s a different player than Conner but he could be a huge asset for this offense as they try to milk as much as they can from the final years with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm.
Speaking of, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers potentially trade up for a quarterback in the 2021 draft as well.