Abate: Steelers 2024 Mock Draft 3.0 - GM Omar Khan Continues Great Offseason With Top-Notch Selections

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 offseason has been pretty bonkers to say the least. General Manager Omar Khan has not messing around as the head of the front office continues to revamp the roster. Shocking moves have been coming from all different directions. Patrick Queen came over from the Baltimore Ravens, a future Hall of Fame candidate in Russell Wilson signed for the veteran minimum, Kenny Pickett was traded away along with Diontae Johnson, and young promising signal-caller Justin Fields was traded for. The 2024 NFL Draft will be another opportunity for Khan to continue his top-notch offseason.

Since the last mock draft in late February, many things have changed for the Steelers. Some needs still remain, however. Pittsburgh added cornerback Donte Jackson in the trade involving Johnson, but that will still be a top focus for the team, unless another surprising move comes in such as trading for Kansas City Chiefs' L'Jarius Sneed. Khan strikes again in this mock with a top defensive back falling all the way to the 20th overall pick.

1.) Round One - 20th Overall - Cooper DeJean - Cornerback - University Of Iowa

Cooper DeJean is one of the better cornerback prospects in the entire draft class. He has the potential to run a 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range and is an ideal size at 6'1" and roughly 200 pounds. He was able to secure seven interceptions during his final two seasons at the University of Iowa. Quarterbacks targeting him in 2023 had a rating of just 40.6.

He was a top cornerback on one of the nation's best defenses and his play will translate nicely to the next level. He also has the ability to be moved around. Ideally, he would be opposite of Joey Porter Jr., but his athletic prowess will allow him to potentially get snaps in the slot in the NFL. Pittsburgh will have some decisions to make if both he and Clemson's Nate Wiggins are available here.

2.) Round Two - 51st Overall - Ricky Pearsall - Wide Receiver - University Of Florida

A lot has been made about the Steelers' depth at wide receiver since moving on from Johnson. Adding Van Jefferson was a solid veteran to pick up, but much more is needed in the area. Ricky Pearsall out of the University of Florida has five years of collegiate experience and transferred to Florida after three seasons at Arizona State.

His stats aren't going to blow anyone away. He never had over 1,000 receiving yards throughout his career in college, but had his best season in 2023 with 65 receptions, 965 yards and four touchdowns. An average of 20.7 yards per catch is certainly attractive to a team that now has Wilson, who historically loves the deep ball. Pearsall is also a nice gadget player. He found the end zone five times his college running the football.

3.) Round Three - 84th Overall - T'Vondre Sweat - Defensive Line - University Of Texas

The Steelers have plenty of work to do on their defensive front. Do fans want a monster of a human being at 6'4" and 340 pounds stuffing the run? T'Vondre Sweat coming out of the University of Texas will be at the top of the list in the third round. He had the best season of his collegiate stint in 2023. The run-stuffing machine had eight tackles for loss. He added four passes defended and two sacks.

Keeanu Benton and Sweat could turn into a great duo for Pittsburgh moving forward. Cameron Heyward is nearing the end of his career, and bringing in Sweat signals that the team is preparing for the future on the defensive line.

4.) Round Three - 98th Overall - Sedrick Van Pran - Center - University Of Georgia

Trading Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles pays off big time here. In a draft that has limited options on the defensive line, taking Sweat was much easier knowing another top need in center would likely be available just 14 picks later. Sedrick Van Pran has been mocked to Pittsburgh a lot. If the organization doesn't elect to go after Jackson Powers-Johnson, Zach Frazier or Graham Barton, Van Pran will be the next guy up and not a bad pick at all.

This would continue the Steelers recent infatuation with the University of Georgia and offer a long-term solution at the position. Déjà vu may kick in for fans after the team selected Kendrick Green in the 2021 NFL Draft in round three, but Van Pran is a natural center with all the intangibles to become the future at the position for the Steelers. The 6'4" 300-pounder would be a staple on the line.

5.) Round Four - 119th Overall - Cam Hart - Cornerback - Notre Dame

More help is on the way to the cornerback room. Once Khan decided to go ahead and draft DeJean in round one, Cam Hart from Notre Dame was available in the fourth. There wasn't an offensive tackle worth it at this pick, so Hart becomes the selection. He is an ideal size and adds to the recent trend of Pittsburgh going after cornerbacks over 6'0". Hart stands at roughly 6'2" and while he only had two interceptions throughout college, he was a lockdown corner for the Fighting Irish.

Hart is more than just a good cover corner. He was terrific against the run in college. This is an area the Steelers could use some support in when it comes to their cornerbacks. It's going to take a village to contain Derrick Henry twice a year. Hart helps Pittsburgh round out a revamped cornerbacks' room led by the second-year stud in Porter.

6.) Round Six - 178th Overall - Joe Milton III - Quarterback - University Of Tennessee

The additions of both Wilson and Fields don't necessarily hint at the team going after a quarterback, but Joe Milton III from the University of Tennessee isn't terrible value in the sixth round. There are no guarantees that Wilson is in the Steel City over a year and Fields will probably not have his fifth-year option picked up. With that comes potential uncertainty at quarterback.

Milton played his first three collegiate seasons at the University of Michigan and his final three at Tennessee. At 6'5", 240 pounds, he is an intimidating body at the quarterback position. His six-year career in college saw him toss 37 touchdown passes to just 11 interceptions. He also can make plays with his legs, rushing for 12 total touchdowns. He will need to develop at the next level, but could be worth a late-round flier.

7.) Round Six - 195th Overall - Nathan Thomas - Tackle - Louisiana

The biggest piece missing from this mock is an offensive tackle. The Steelers could end up taking one in the first round. It didn't work out that way here, but they use their last pick in the draft on Nathan Thomas coming out of the University of Louisiana. A lot of his experience comes on the left side, but when you get drafted this late, you need to be versatile if you want to make an NFL roster.

Pittsburgh wants to move Broderick Jones to the left side, but there's no guarantee that happens in 2024 if Dan Moore Jr. is going to be the other starting tackle. The team could emphasize tackle early, but with the available options in some other areas, it made sense to wait. Thomas would have a difficult time making the 53-man unit, but at 6'5" and 330 pounds, would add another big body into the mix.

Steelers Reinventing How They Do Business In 2024

Khan has been anything but conventional in 2024. He has made several huge moves and a draft like the one above would be the icing on top of the cake. The lack of an intimidating tackle who could come in and start is the only concern. With that said, it addresses every need after free agency. Khan may not be done though. Tyler Boyd is still a free agent and more than one big name is still out there for some other positions that need a boost, too.

What do you agree with in the third mock draft? Which direction wouldn't you go in? Let us know in the comments below!

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