The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed all their needs early in the draft and then added a mid-round quarterback. There’s a lot of talk online about a potential trade for Brandon Aiyuk heating up on draft night. The Steelers could be the team making that move, especially with the recent restructured deal for Alex Highsmith, indicating they might be looking for a wide receiver. Jeremy Fowler also mentioned the Steelers as a team to watch for Courtland Sutton from the Broncos, who hasn’t reported to team activities.
With all these potential moves swirling around, the 2024 NFL Draft could be quite unpredictable, and the Steelers might be leading the charge. Considering all this, let’s take a look at how their draft could unfold:
TRADE: Round 1, Pick 31
The Steelers trade down, potentially giving up a 2025 first-round pick, and select Jackson Powers-Johnson, a center from Oregon. Powers-Johnson is considered the best center in the class despite some medical concerns. He’s versatile and fits well into various blocking schemes.
Round 2, Pick 51:
Max Melton, a cornerback from Rutgers, fills the Steelers’ need for a slot corner. Melton showed strong coverage skills, particularly against Michigan, but he needs some refinement in zone coverage.
Round 3, Pick 84:
The Steelers select Blake Fisher, an offensive tackle from Notre Dame. Fisher’s size and strength make him a solid option, particularly for run-blocking schemes. He needs some work on hand usage but could be a good fit on the right side.
Round 3, Pick 98:
Malachi Corley, a wide receiver from Western Kentucky, provides a potential yards-after-catch threat similar to Deebo Samuel. While raw in route running, Corley has the potential to be a reliable target over the middle.
Round 4, Pick 119:
The Steelers take Jordan Travis, a quarterback from Florida State, as a potential future option at QB. Travis is known for his quickness and ability to create plays outside the pocket, but he needs to work on his accuracy.
Round 6, Pick 178:
Khristian Boyd, a defensive tackle from Northern Iowa, becomes a disruptive force for the Steelers. Despite average testing, Boyd has a knack for getting off the line quickly and disrupting plays.
Round 6, Pick 195:
Travis Glover, an offensive tackle from Georgia State, adds depth to the offensive line. Glover showed promise at the Senior Bowl and could develop into a solid player with coaching.
Overall, the Steelers address their needs while also adding depth and potential future talent through the draft.