I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. There is now just one week until the 2024 NFL draft. Here is what I would do if I were Omar Khan.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Offseason
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very eventful off-season. From rebuilding their quarterback room to adding new key pieces on defense the Steelers made a lot of moves during the 2024 offseason. The Steelers traded away starting quarterback Kenny Pickett after signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal. Then, the Steelers traded a sixth-round pick to get Justin Fields.
Another move the Pittsburgh Steelers made was trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson in exchange for cornerback Dante Jackson. I thought this was an incredible move by the Steelers as Johnson was not playing up to how much he was being paid. Going into a contract year the Steelers got rid of Johnson and got a veteran number-two corner in exchange. As a Steelers fan, this is one of the most exciting offseason I have ever witnessed.
Predictions
With a week until the draft, this is what I believe the Steelers will do. The Steelers hold the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. It seems the Steelers have narrowed it down to three positions in the first round, which are offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver. I believe that Pittsburgh is going to go offensive line in the first round, specifically tackle.
Three tackles are likely to be available when the Pittsburgh Steelers pick at 20, JC Latham, Amarius Mims, and Tyler Guyton. It seems to me that if Amarius Mims is available at pick 20, that’s who the Steelers will select. I have mixed feelings about Mims. While he is an incredible athlete and friends with Broderick Jones, he is also very inexperienced and has an injury history.
As for the day two picks I believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to try to get the best center they can find and try to upgrade their secondary. For the day three selections, you could convince me that the Steelers are going to draft any position.
What I would do
Now, here is what I would do if I were Omar Khan. In the first round, I would still be looking to draft offensive tackle unless there was another player that was falling down the board. Personally, if JC Latham fell past pick 16 I would try to move up a couple of spots for him. If Latham or the other top tackle prospects were there at pick 20 I would draft them, if not I would be looking to trade down. Moving down six or seven spots would be perfect as the Pittsburgh Steelers could still draft one of the tackles or even a center. Moving down would also give them an early third-round pick.
Let’s say I draft a tackle after a trade down in round one, I would be targeting center or wide receiver in rounds two and three. As for the day three selections I would be looking to get a nickel corner, some defensive line help, and a little more depth at linebacker.
Either way, I’m not Omar Khan and the only way to know what the Pittsburgh Steelers draft class will look like is after the draft next week. If you are looking for more Pittsburgh Steelers content, follow me on X @ChaseGrimm28. If you are looking for more football, make sure to check out Gridiron Heroics.