2021 NFL Draft Results: Pittsburgh Steelers select Kendrick Green with 3rd round pick

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a number of draft needs which they needed to address. Unlike in 2020, with no first round selection in the draft, the Steelers possessed a full allotment of draft picks. With eight picks, the following positions could be viewed as a priority entering the selection process: running back, center, pass rusher and even inside linebacker. Those positions, and more, were positions of need to help the black-and-gold get to the next level in 2021. There have been numerous thoughts and debates regarding what the team will do in Round 4 of the NFL Draft.

When the dust settled, the Steelers have selected Illinois center Kendrick Green, with their third pick in the draft.

For those who may not know much about Green as a player, this is his overall breakdown of his game, per his NFL Draft Profile:

Overview

Durable three-year starter with above-average initial quickness. Capable of playing guard or center, Green’s lateral get-off makes him a natural fit for teams heavy into outside zone as a primary run scheme. He can get to play-side reach and back-side cuts and he specializes in washing his defender out of the play once he’s engaged on the move. He plays a little too upright at times and lacks the length and drive power in his lower half to move one-on-one blocks around with adequate sustain. The run blocking will stand out to evaluators, but recognition inconsistencies in pass protection might cause some concerns. His center/guard flexibility is an advantage and teams could go either way with how they want to use him. Green has the potential to become a starter at the next level.

Strengths

• Offers guard and center starting experience.
• Off the ball in a hurry, gaining lateral ground with ease.
• Impressive ability to reach and wall-off from a gap away.
• Accelerates through contact, creating wash-down momentum.
• Pushes down-block out of the gap.
• Short-area quickness allows for tighter schedule on combos.
• Play-switch energy and fire from snap to whistle.
• Above-average getting into space on screen blocks.
• Resets his hands in order to gather pass rusher in front of him.
• Reactive athleticism to make sudden cut-offs in pass pro.

Weaknesses

• Too straight-legged up to second level.
• Inaccurate radar landing on pull and climb targets.
• Unable to neutralize power when heads up.
• Defenders are able to separate and play off his blocks.
• Shorter arms make block sustain a challenge.
• Struggled to dissect gaming fronts in 2019.
• Gets glued to twist action and misses incoming rusher.
• Overextends, allowing edge to soften.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft needs in the remaining rounds of the draft now would be considered: inside linebacker, cornerback, outside linebacker, among other positions.

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