Hot Takes, Predictions for Steelers Rookies After 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL draft put the capstone on what has been a largely successful offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh needed to find upgraded quarterback play. The additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields should deliver that. The Steelers needed to improve the back seven of their defense, and adding cornerback Donte Jackson and former division rival linebacker Patrick Queen will help there.
General manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin only had a few specific needs to target over draft weekend, and on paper, they couldn't have done a better job of addressing them.
If Pittsburgh's rookie class delivers, the Steelers should have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL this coming season. How do we expect the incoming players to perform? Read on for a few early predictions and hot takes.
Draft Results
1 of 4Steelers Draft Order and Selections
- Round 1 (No. 20): OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
- Round 2 (No. 51):
IOL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
- Round 3 (No. 84):
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
- Round 3 (No. 98): LB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
- Round 4 (No. 119):
IOL Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
- Round 6 (No. 178):
DL Logan Lee, Iowa
- Round 6 (No. 195): CB Ryan Watts, Texas
Fautanu Starts by Mid-Season
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The Steelers don't traditionally thrust rookies onto the field before they're ready. That's how things unfolded with 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones, who settled into the right-tackle job midway through the season.
Expect Pittsburgh to follow suit with first-round pick Troy Fautanu, who is poised to eventually replace left tackle Dan Moore Jr. Fautanu is a polished prospect with positional versatility and an extremely high upside.
"Fautanu is a twitched-up, explosive blocker with excellent length and a tone-setting demeanor who projects best inside at guard with tackle versatility in his back pocket," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "His tools and skill set should land him a starting job right away, and he has Pro Bowl potential within his first contract."
Moore, meanwhile, has been merely serviceable at his best and wildly unreliable at his worst. Last season, he was responsible for three penalties and eight sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
Pittsburgh may opt for Moore's experience early in the season, but Fautanu should take over by mid-season. The rookie should quickly adapt to the starting role and should pair with Jones to give Pittsburgh one of the best tackle tandems in the conference by season's end.
Roman Wilson Was a Total Steal in Round 3
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The Steelers have a knack for finding capable receivers on Day 2, and they did it again with their third-round selection of Michigan's Roman Wilson.
Wilson was the 46th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's pre-draft board. He has the physical tools, playing style and demeanor to fit perfectly with Pittsburgh's new quarterback room.
"He attacks DBs with his speed up until the last possible moment to snap his route off, rarely tipping his hand early in the route," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He also has the speed to separate versus man on crossers of all depths."
Wilson knows exactly how to attack defensive backs and use his skill set to present his quarterback with an open target. He can get open down the field, but he can also be a difference-maker in the short-to-intermediate area.
His presence should make life easier on Wilson, who seems to have lost a bit of his arm strength in recent years. He'll complement tight end Pat Freiermuth at the second level and give Pittsburgh a tremendous second option behind perimeter target George Pickens.
Wilson never had eye-popping production at Michigan, though that was largely a product of the offense. He could emerge as one of this year's most productive rookie receivers, and getting him in Round 3 was an absolute bargain.
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Payton Wilson Will Make a Pro Bowl as a Steeler
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At the bottom of Round 3, the Steelers snapped up N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Wilson, who has a lengthy injury history, slid due to medical concerns.
"But that's actually not the worst of it. He has torn his ACL twice, and my understanding, after talking to several sources, is that one of his knees does not have an ACL," Rapoport said during the draft (h/t Noah Strackbein of FanNation).
As a player, though, Wilson is a first-round-caliber talent. He does a little bit of everything well and would have gone much, much higher if there were no medical red flags.
"If Payton Wilson's draft evaluation was based solely on his 2023 film, he'd have a strong argument to be the top linebacker in this year's draft class," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He's an impressive athlete who stands out in coverage and against the run."
While Wilson may or may not have a lengthy NFL career, the prediction here is that he earns at least one Pro Bowl nod while playing for the Steelers. He'll line up next to standout linebacker Patrick Queen and behind a very impressive pass rush. He'll get regular opportunities to rack up tackles and make splash plays.
In fact, Wilson might have a realistic shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.
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