The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base is hyper-focused on who Omar Khan will select on the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft in April. The internet is full of mock drafts from CBS Sports, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the thousands of fans who post their wish lists on social media.
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University of Oregon center and 2024 draft prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson points towards the stands as his team warms up prior to a collegiate football game.
Khan and Andy Weidl currently have the 20th, 51st, 84th, and 98th picks during the first two days of the draft. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Amarius Mims, and JC Latham have all been mentioned as first-round targets for the Steelers. The fan base desperately covets the other "JPJ" and top center prospect, Powers-Johnson. First-round wide receiver prospects like Xavier Worthy and Brian Thomas Jr. have also recently been associated with the Steelers. Pittsburgh has not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since Santonio Holmes in 2006.
The Steelers also have the 119th, 178th, and 195th picks on day three of the April draft. They are not receiving nearly as much attention, but based on the 2023 draft performance by Khan and Weidl, it might be equally important. The Steelers added the impressive Nick Herbig in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. They also selected Cory Trice Jr. and Spencer Anderson in the seventh round. Trice was lost for the season in training camp, but Anderson's performance in practice impressed the coaching staff.
Day three picks are crucial for building a playoff contender. Here are three names that Khan and Weidl could consider as possible day three selections for the black and gold come April.
1) Leonard Taylor III, Defensive Line - Miami Hurricanes
The Steelers' offensive line will likely be addressed during the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft. The defensive line is an aging unit. Cam Heyward is entering the final year of his contract and Larry Ogunjobi will be 30 years old when the season starts. Keeanu Benton from the 2023 draft class is one piece of the future puzzle, but Khan and Weidl need to add more.
Leonard Taylor III from the Miami Hurricanes was a five star recruit who had a solid freshman and sophomore season in the ACC. 2023 was his worst season, but he often played out of position as a nose guard and received questionable coaching that failed his immense natural talent. Taylor did not impress at the East West Shrine Bowl or stand out at the NFL Combine, but he is explosive and should thrive as a 3-4 defensive end with proper coaching and development at the NFL level.
2) Luke McCaffrey, Wide Receiver - Rice Owls
Ladd McConkey gets a lot of love on Steelers' social media as a wide receiver prospect and deservedly so. He is a solid college wide receiver with a familiar last name to football fans. He is not actually related to the former New York Giants wide receiver and special teams ace, Phil McConkey, however. There is a wide receiver with an impressive family pedigree in the draft and that is Luke McCaffrey, the son of former Denver Broncos star Ed McCaffrey and brother of All-Pro running back, Christian McCaffrey.
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Steelers could look to tap into the impressive NFL pedigree of the McCaffrey family by drafting Luke McCaffrey.
McCaffrey began his career at Nebraska as a quarterback and wide receiver hybrid. A position the Steelers had great success in the past with Hines Ward and Antwan Randle El. McCaffrey is 6'2" and projects as a slot receiver in the NFL. His size and intriguing skill set could be a useful tool in Arthur Smith's offense. He is a dangerous deep threat in the slot and scored 13 touchdowns in 2023.
3) AJ Barner, Tight End - Michigan Wolverines
The Steelers drafted Connor Heyward in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and converted him to the smallest tight end in the NFL. In fact, he is the smallest tight end in the Super Bowl era. Heyward has value as a hybrid player and a fullback, but he is often overmatched on running plays and does not seem like a good fit as the third tight end in Smith's offense.
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Steelers could look to add AJ Barner and another player with championship pedigree as an offensive weapon in 2024.
AJ Barner was a ferocious run blocker for the National Champions and demonstrated good hands when targeted by J.J. McCarthy. Pittsburgh sent everyone but the hot dog vendor to the Michigan Pro Day. The Steelers' 2024 offense should feature heavy personnel and Barner would be a solid addition to that package. He has untapped potential as a pass catcher, but much like Darnell Washington in 2023, his blocking will get him on the field.
Steelers' Omar Khan Can Add To Already Impressive Resume With Another Deep Draft Class In 2024
Khan and Weidl added four solid starters from the 2023 draft class and two impressive depth pieces. It wasn't the 1974 draft class that featured five Hall of Fame players, but after the previous seven NFL Drafts that are full of Kevin Colbert misses, it was a fantastic piece of scouting and maneuvering. A repeat performance will transform Mike Tomlin's depth chart and may finally give him the tools to prove he can still win in the playoffs.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are there any particular names you would like to see called on day three of the NFL Draft? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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