Steelers' Players Who Will Be Most Impacted by 2024 NFL Draft Picks

The Pittsburgh Steelers will most likely make an offensive line upgrade in the 2024 NFL draft.

Mike Tomlin and his staff need the best protection in place to ensure Russell Wilson or Justin Fields stays upright for most of the 2024 NFL season.

The Steelers took Broderick Jones in the first round last year. He could either stay at right tackle, or move over to the left depending on which prospect the team lands.

All offensive line prospects should be looked at because the Steelers have a vulnerability at center with Mason Cole no longer on the roster.

Pittsburgh's trade of Diontae Johnson created a hole on the wide receiver depth chart as well.

The Steelers should look at wide outs throughout the draft as well, but offensive line has to be the top priority, which means Dan Moore Jr. and Nate Herbig may not be starters in Week 1.

Dan Moore Jr.

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CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 26, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Steelers have the potential to land an anchor to their offensive line for the second straight first round.

Moore's roster spot came under threat last offseason when Jones was drafted 14th overall out of Georgia.

Moore's starting position at left tackle may not be there if the Steelers land a tackle in the first round this year as well.

The top offensive tackle prospects will be off the board by the time the Steelers pick at No. 20, but they could still find quality in Alabama's JC Latham, Georgia's Amarius Mims or Washington's Troy Fatuanu.

Any of those players would slot into one of the two starting tackle positions right away, which would leave Moore on the second line of the depth chart.

Nate Herbig

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 12: Pittsburgh Steelers guard Nate Herbig (71) looks on during the regular season NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers on November 12, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Herbig is currently the best center option on the Steelers roster.

However, the 20th pick could be spent on an interior offensive lineman to upgrade at center.

Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson makes the most sense to fill the center position.

Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department mocked Powers-Johnson to the Steelers in its most-recent projection.

Powers-Johnson did not allow a single sack in 17 starts at Oregon, a number that should stand out to the Steelers scouting staff.

Herbig could be a serviceable starter on the interior, but if the Steelers can land a potentially decade-long starter, they will.

Calvin Austin III

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Calvin Austin III #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

The No. 2 spot on the wide receiver depth chart could belong to Calvin Austin III when training camp begins.

However, the Steelers will likely draft Diontae Johnson's replacement at some point in the draft to partner with George Pickens.

Austin displayed flashes of potential during his Steelers career, but he has not broken out as a reliable pass-catcher.

He could still be a valuable part of the offense because of his speed, but Austin probably will not morph into a high-volume pass-catcher.

The arrivals of a new draft pick, Quez Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson could actually put Austin's roster spot under threat if he does not have a good camp.