Steelers 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Roundup of B/R Staff, Kiper and Expert Picks
The 2024 NFL draft is scheduled to kick off next Thursday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should have a fair amount of flexibility in the early rounds.
Pittsburgh jettisoned 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett this offseason, revamping its quarterback room with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The Steelers also filled big needs by adding cornerback Donte Jackson and linebacker Patrick Queen.
The Steelers do have some remaining needs, but they should largely be able to exercise a best-player-available approach to the draft.
This leaves a fair amount of intrigue surrounding Pittsburgh's draft strategy. No one knows for certain who the Steelers will target, but the draft experts do have their guesses.
Here, we'll examine some of the latest mock drafts from around the web, focusing specifically on Pittsburgh's top three selections—Nos. 20, 51 and 84 overall.
Pick No. 20
1 of 3
B/R Scouting Department: IOL Graham Barton, Duke
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: IOL Graham Barton, Duke
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
If the Steelers have one glaring need, it's at center. Pittsburgh released starter Mason Cole early in the offseason, and it has yet to find a quality replacement. Both the Bleacher Report Scouting Department and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. paired Pittsburgh with Duke lineman Graham Barton in Round 1.
Barton has spent time at both center and offensive tackle, so, at worst, he'd give Pittsburgh depth along the line. Ideally, though, he'd start at center early and give Pittsburgh an upgrade over Cole.
"Barton likely slides inside at center since the Steelers haven't been able to find a high-end center since the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said. Barton's athletic ability, play strength and sustain skills would do that while giving the unit a true building block alongside last year's first-round pick Broderick Jones
NFL Media's Chad Reuter went in a different direction, though, mocking Alabama corner Terrion Arnold to the Steelers at No. 20. Pittsburgh did release Patrick Peterson this offseason, and Arnold would potentially pair with Joey Porter Jr. to give the Steelers an exciting young cornerback tandem.
A lineman may be the more obvious early choice for the Steelers, but a corner would make plenty of sense too.
Pick No. 51
2 of 3
B/R Scouting Department: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
With Reuter passing on a lineman in Round 1, coming back to Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson was a sensible choice. Pittsburgh has a need along the offensive interior, and Power-Johnson is one of the top line prospects in this draft.
"His physical
traits and makeup should allow him to start right away at either center
or guard without being dependent on scheme while providing Pro Bowl
potential within his first contract," Thorn wrote.
Both the B/R Scouting Department and Kiper paired Pittsburgh with a receiver in Round 2. The B/R staff went with Georgia's Ladd McConkey, while Kiper favored the upside of Washington's Jalen McMillan.
"George Pickens is the Steelers' clear No. 1 wideout with Diontae Johnson traded to Carolina, but who's their No. 2? Van Jefferson? I'm not sold," Kiper wrote. "... McMillan was overshadowed by Rome Odunze at Washington, but he's a dynamic slot receiver."
Pittsburgh dealt Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, so receiver is a logical position to target. The Steelers have a history of uncovering quality pass-catchers on Day 2 as well, so it could be a mild surprise to see them enter Day 3 without a rookie receiver in the fold.
Pick No. 84
3 of 3
B/R Scouting Department: OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
NFL Media's Chad Reuter: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner: CB Jarrian Jones, Florida State
Kiper's latest mock only ran through two rounds, so for Round 3, we'll turn to The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner
Baumgardner went with Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham in Round 1 before pairing Pittsburgh with Michigan receiver Roman Wilson in Round 2. For the third round, Baumgardner mocked Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones to the Steelers.
Reuter mocked Western Kentucky receiver Malachi Corley to the Steelers in Round 3, while the B/R Scouting Department settled on Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosentgarten.
One interesting thing to note here is that all four mocks we examined had the Steelers taking a wide receiver within the first three rounds. Three of them had Pittsburgh taking an interior lineman in that range, while two each paired the Steelers with an offensive tackle and a cornerback.
These were the only positions mocked to the Steelers out of four hypothetical drafts and 11 total selections. It's clear that draft experts have a picture of what Pittsburgh's biggest needs are, even if the Steelers have other ideas internally.
It wouldn't be a total surprise to see the Steelers scoop up a defensive lineman or perhaps a quarterback to develop behind Wilson and Fields. However, the offensive line, cornerback and receiver are strong areas to target early in the draft, both because of positional value and the talent available in this year's class.
Draft order via Tankathon.
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