Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters at the NFL's Annual League Meetings in Orlando, FL that the organization plans to address the current holes at the wide receiver and center positions. After trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and releasing Mason Cole, the franchise is in need of starter-worthy players in both areas. George Pickens remains the only true Pro Bowl-caliber wideout, while Nate Herbig sits as the most likely to start at center if a game had to be played at the end of March. Thankfully, that's not the case and General Manager Omar Khan could be gearing up for a franchise-altering selection in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
On Monday, it was reported that Pittsburgh is planning to sign speedy wide receiver Quez Watkins, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. The expected addition doesn't rule out another free agent signing at the same position, and it certainly doesn't mean the team won't draft at least one. Overall, however, the room was bolstered twice now including the signing of Van Jefferson.
It really gets one thinking about which direction the team will go in the first round once the 20th overall pick rolls around in late April. Tomlin hinted on Sunday that the organization is interested in a deep center draft class.
Mike Tomlin on center: "Obviously, we still got (Nate) Herbig on our roster, but we've got some work to do there, whether it's continued in free agency and/or the draft. We'll get something done, obviously, at that position."
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 24, 2024
The wide receiver draft class is one of the deepest it has been in several years. The Steelers also have a track record of landing promising talent at the position outside of the first round. The defensive line class is a bit weak, which leaves three positions that are absolutely targets in round one. After Cole's struggles, it's hard to not get the impression that center is more important for Tomlin and co. at this juncture, instead of a cornerback or offensive tackle.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5152-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mason Cole")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mason Cole (#61) stands on the field at St. Vincent College as the team warms up prior to a 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
The name to continue to keep an eye on is University of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. He performed phenomenally at the Senior Bowl and many draft analysts have him as a surefire first-round pick. Unless someone jumps the Steelers, or an unexpected team in the top 19 select him, he will likely be available when it's Khan's turn to pick.
There was only one center in franchise history selected in the first round. Maurkice Pouncey was the staple of a solid offensive line for a decade. In an attempt to replicate that decision, which was made during the 2010 NFL Draft, the Steelers have to be aggressively talking about making sure Powers-Johnson doesn't slip out of their hands.
The front office will be tempted with solid cornerback and tackle prospects, but it seems as if they have just enough faith in Dan Moore Jr. to focus on the center position before right tackle. It is imperative to get Broderick Jones over to his natural spot on the left side, but according to Tomlin, it might not be as imminent as fans want to believe.
Tomlin on Broderick Jones moving to LT:
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 24, 2024
"To be determined. We just got so much ahead of us in terms of player acquisition where any specific player ends up is subject to to who else is on our roster and the makeup of it."
Targeting a center in the first round is the perfect solution to solidifying an offensive line that has been revamped since Khan took over as the general manager. Powers-Johnson has the abilities and intangibles to be a perennial All-Pro for several years. Tomlin's comments about the current center situation and the strong possibility of a franchise guy waiting for a call at 20th overall are hard to ignore. The Steelers need another Pouncey, and they just might get one.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Pittsburgh Steelers center, Maurkice Pouncey stands on the practice field at the team's UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Khan didn't rule out the possibility of trading for a center when he spoke to the media on Monday, but it seems as if, given the team's recent track record, going with a guy that can lead the line for a decade is the more reasonable solution. Getting another Pouncey-type guy in the locker room will be a critical step in solidifying the line for the foreseeable future.
Steelers In Perfect Position To Improve Several Areas On Roster
Due to the depth that the 2024 draft class has at wide receiver and corner, Pittsburgh will have the opportunity to target a center, presumably Powers-Johnson in the first round, while focusing on other positions later on. An extra third round pick from the Eagles following the Kenny Pickett trade could prove to be huge as Khan continues to turnover the roster.
Do you think the Steelers are going to target a center in the first round? Let us know in the comments below!
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