The Pittsburgh Steelers have filled many holes throughout the 2024 offseason and, specifically, revamped the quarterback room. Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph all left in different ways with Pickett being traded, Trubisky being released and Rudolph deciding to go elsewhere in free agency. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen are now the three under contract. The wide receiver room also looks different after dealing Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Despite the big moves, there are glaring weak spots on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the secondary.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6118-544x306.jpg "Steelers Joey Porter Jr.")
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Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (#24) stands on the field at St. Vincent College during 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh added Donte Jackson in the Johnson deal and also signed veteran Dean Lowry for help on the defensive line. Despite this, the Steelers could go a number of different directions in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. General Manager Omar Khan has shown an infatuation with being aggressive, and no one should be ruling out a trade up in round one.
With four picks in the top 98 overall selections, Khan could have enough draft capital to make a move. The draft class is extremely deep when it comes to wide receiver, cornerback and tackle, but getting the cream of the crop in the early-to-middle first round could be an attractive option. There will be teams willing to move back, and Khan should be getting ready to call them at the end of April.
1.) Chicago Bears - 9th Overall Selection
The last time Pittsburgh traded into the top 10, it was a disaster as Devin Bush is consistently labeled as one of the biggest draft busts in team history. Khan and Ryan Poles have shown they like to do business with one another. It started with Chase Claypool being sent to the Chicago Bears in 2022 and most recently, the relationship led to Fields coming to the Steel City.
Ashlee Rezin / Sun-Times
Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields scrambles out of the pocket as he participates in a professional football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
It wouldn't be an easy move trying to skyrocket 11 spots up on the draft board, but it's not impossible. It's almost a guarantee that the top five selections are either quarterbacks or wide receivers, which leaves other prospects available nearing the ninth overall pick. Targeting an offensive tackle like JC Latham, or even one of the trio of wideouts in Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or, most reasonably, Rome Odunze, could be in play here, if one falls.
A dark horse that no one is talking about is a move for Brock Bowers. The tight end from Georgia paired with a likely-to-be-extended Pat Freiermuth and his former teammate Darnell Washington would be a dream for any offensive coordinator.
2.) Indianapolis Colts - 15th Overall Selection
The Seattle Seahawks sit with the 16th overall pick and could very much be in play for an interior offensive lineman. That could immediately trigger Khan to move up to the 15th spot (currently held by the Indianapolis Colts) in order to grab the future franchise center. The team has been relatively quiet so far with their pre-draft visits, despite an interesting one scheduled with Michael Penix Jr., so top interest in a center isn't apparently on the top of their mind just yet.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is a true center that should be selected at some point in the first round. If the Steelers get the idea that the Seahawks may be looking to draft him as early as 16th, Khan may have to swoop in and make the call. The position has been a mess since Maurkice Pouncey retired, and there is no current plan in sight to revitalize it. A recent report of Powers-Johnson maybe falling could lead to Pittsburgh rolling the dice and hoping he's available in round two.
UO Athletics / GoDucks.com
University of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson gets ready to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage to his quarterback Bo Nix (#10) during a Ducks' home football game.
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars - 17th Overall Selection
It's always fulfilling to jump over a division rival and take a prospect they might have been targeting. The Cincinnati Bengals will pick at 18th and are in need of an offensive tackle. Depending on how the dominos fall on draft day, Khan making the call to the Jacksonville Jaguars' front office may be a move that doesn't result in giving up too much draft capital.
The sticking point here could be the cornerback position. Jacksonville needs help in the area and making a deal with Pittsburgh could lead to Khan swooping in and taking the Jaguars' desired prospect. It certainly is an interesting situation that is in front of the Steelers, especially with the possibility of jumping ahead of the Bengals being in play.
Steelers Could Stay Put If Right Position Is Readily Available
Pittsburgh will fall in love with certain prospects. However, if three guys like Amarius Mims, Latham and Powers-Johnson are all creeping closer to the 20th pick, Khan may decide he wants to stay put. The same goes for the cornerback position. A move up to the ninth spot, however, would be a pre-determined judgement based on a generational prospect the Steelers refuse to pass up.
Do you think the Steelers could trade up in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments below!
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