Pittsburgh Steelers: Grades for every 2021 NFL Draft pick

Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL Draft Grades: Rounds 5-7

Round 5 (No. 156, via Dallas): DT Isaiahh Loudermilk, Wisconsin: F

This grade isn’t necessarily aimed at who the Steelers took; rather, it’s who they didn’t take that really drives the “F” grade home. The Steelers traded into the fifth round to take Loudermilk when Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade was on the board. Wade was then selected by the Ravens a few picks later.

This isn’t to knock Loudermilk as a player. He is explosive on the interior and has a very high motor, but this wasn’t a need for Pittsburgh. If they were going to trade up, it should have been for a guy like Shaun Wade.

Round 6 (No. 216): LB Quincy Roche, Miami (FL): B+

If there was a way to make up for the previous pick, this was it. Roche is a quick, versatile pass rusher who will get a good amount of snaps from the jump in Pittsburgh. He can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt, and his explosive out of the gate. I wouldn’t be surprised if, by Week 10, Roche is starting opposite of T.J. Watt rather than Alex Highsmith.

Round 7 (No. 245): CB Tre Norwood, Oklahoma: B

Getting Norwood in the seventh round is great value for the Steelers. Norwood has a high motor. While that aggression is good sometimes, it can get the best of him, which leads to big plays.

That said, he’s solid in man-to-man, and gives the Steelers some form of depth in the secondary, which they very badly needed.

Round 7 (No. 254): P Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech: C

The Steelers have had somewhat bad luck with punters over the last few seasons. This is Jordan Berry’s second stint with the team. He was brought back in October to replace Dustin Colquitt, who the Steelers signed as a free agent but ultimately, it didn’t pan out.

Berry is by no means an elite punter, so Harvin, the 2020 Ray Guy Award winner, will be the guy going forward.