NFL.com details top five needs for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 NFL Draft

Here’s one thing we know about the Steelers plans for the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh doesn’t need to waste a pick on a quarterback.

But maybe the Steelers, after renovating the so-called quarterback room, needs to invest in security for the new guys under center. Or, Pittsburgh could go for a receiver to make the lives of the quarterbacks so much easier.

The Steelers own the 20th pick of the NFL Draft. They’ll kick off the lower third of the first round. And here’s what we know about this first-round class. It’s deep with elite offensive offensive tackles and wide receivers.

NFL.com published a summary of each team’s draft needs. The site listed the five biggest needs as any offensive line position, receiver, cornerback and defensive tackle. Here’s what they had to say about Pittsburgh:

“The Steelers’ quarterback room underwent a transformation this spring, adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, while Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph left the building. The primary goal of this draft for Pittsburgh should be improving the offensive line in support of the new signal-callers; look for the Steelers to add a left tackle to compete with Dan Moore, along with a new starting center to replace the waived Mason Cole, plus depth at guard.

Another receiver to push Van Jefferson and Denzel Mims for snaps is also needed, as well as potential starters in the secondary and an eventual replacement for defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who is headed for free agency in 2025.”

Steelers could look to Georgia or Oregon State for offensive tackle

Within the past month, the Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. They shipped Kenny Pickett, the starter for most of the past two seasons, to the Eagles. Pittsburgh didn’t re-sign Mason Rudolph (Titans) or Mitch Trubisky (Bills). But they did add journeyman Kyle Allen. So there is no need for another quarterback.

However, they can help the quarterbacks, immensely, in this draft. If they go offensive tackle, Lance Zierlein, a draft analyst for the NFL Network, suggests using the 20th pick on Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.

Zierlein wrote in his latest mock:: “Pittsburgh adds a pass-protecting technician at right tackle, allowing 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones to kick over to the left side and giving the Steelers a promising, young bookend set.” That sounds promising for the Steelers. In this particular mock, Fuaga is the fifth offensive tackle off the board. The quarterbacks probably will be the top four picks, which will push a lot of quality towards the lower end of the first round.

Meanwhile, Bucky Brooks projected that the Steelers would add Georgia’s big offensive tackle Amarius Mims in his latest mock draft. The pick makes a lot of sense considering Pittsburgh used its first round pick last April to select Jones, another former Georgie Bulldog offensive tackle.

Brooks wrote of Mims: “The extra, extra large edge blocker (6-8, 340 pounds) would help the Steelers control the trenches as they transition to a ground-and-pound squad under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. 

Or maybe the Steelers go wide receiver at No. 20. Like quarterback, the receivers are the sexy pick of the first round. There could be three of them selected in the top 10. So who would be there for Pittsburgh? Maybe LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. There are a couple of Texas Longhorn wideouts to consider — Xavier Worthy or Adonei Mitchell.

Remember, the draft starts April 25. Considering how unusually active they were in free agency, they’ll probably wheel and deal in the draft, too.