Steelers' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets to Benefit Russell Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers must continue with the refurbishing of their offensive depth chart in the 2024 NFL draft.

Pittsburgh will likely make some sort of offensive upgrade with the No. 20 overall pick.

The first draft selection could be more protection for Russell Wilson, who projects as the starting quarterback over Justin Fields right now.

The Steelers needed to upgrade their offensive line prior to their quarterback reshuffling so that should be the first need crossed off in the draft.

Pittsburgh does need to add a wide receiver as well after the departure of Diontae Johnson.

George Pickens is the clear-cut No. 1 pass-catcher now, but the Steelers must add help beneath him on the depth chart for the offense to properly function in 2024.

Graham Barton, IOL, Duke

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DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 12: Graham Barton (62) of the Duke Blue Devils gets set on the line during a football game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Virginia Tech Hokies on Nov 12, 2022 at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Graham Barton will be one of the most coveted players in the bottom third of the first round.

The Duke prospect can play a handful of positions on the offensive line, which makes him an intriguing player for Pittsburgh and any team with a need up front.

Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department mocked Barton to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 31 and Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson to the Steelers at No. 20.

ESPN's Field Yates described Barton as "arguably the most impressive run-blocker in the class" in his mock draft that landed the Duke player with the Steelers.

Barton's run-blocking qualities could give him the edge over other potential Steelers prospects because they are expected to use a heavy dose of both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley (11) catches a pass and runs down field during a college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Indiana Hoosiers on September 17, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Steelers should have an abundance of wide receivers to choose from in the second round.

Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley might be the most fascinating prospect among the collection of players projected to land on Day 2.

Corley had 984 receiving yards at Western Kentucky this season and he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his junior season.

Corley may not have the most notable name in the draft class, but he played in a pass-heavy offense at WKU that may have him more prepared for the NFL than others.

He could slot in opposite Pickens and push Van Jefferson or Calvin Austin III to the slot if the Steelers choose him.

Corley's draft range is the late second round. B/R's NFL scouting department mocked him to No. 63 in their latest projection.

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Ladd McConkey #84 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Florida State Seminoles during the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

Ladd McConkey fits the profile of a pass-catcher the Steelers do not have on their roster.

McConkey could be used across the middle in a slot role that complements Pickens and the other wide receivers on the outside.

He did not put up massive numbers at Georgia, but McConkey seemed to always put himself in the right spots to catch passes.

McConkey is projected to be a second-round pick. B/R's experts mocked him at No. 48 in their most-recent mock draft.

Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, Michigan's Roman Wilson and Texas' Adonai Mitchell are among the other pass-catchers the Steelers could land at No. 51 depending on who is available in the second round.