Steelers May Look To Draft 2 Promising And Familiar Faces From University Of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very important draft coming up in a few weeks where they crucially have to fill out some spots on the roster. Pre-draft, the Steelers most importantly need help at center, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and cornerback. Where might the Steelers look for help at those spots? They may just look down the road at the University of Pittsburgh, where they have two young talents that meet the Steelers' needs. 

The Steelers were set to have two local visits with two players from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh's offensive tackle, Matt Goncalves, is set to meet with the Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, and others ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft according to Ryan Fowler. Goncalves' last season ended early in the year with the Panthers, as the tackle went down with a torn plantar plate in his toe after three weeks into the season. The offensive tackle can play at either side, and versatility on the o-line is something that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is quite fond of. 

Goncalves has caught many eyes around the league and is expected to fall in the mid to late rounds. Goncalves has expressed an immense amount of interest in the idea of being able to stay in Pittsburgh and get to play for the Steelers. Drafting Goncalves would provide comfort and chemistry early for him and the Steelers, and would also leave the door open for drafting other positions early in the draft like center or wide receiver. 

Another player from Pittsburgh that the Steelers are set to meet with is cornerback MJ Devonshire, who is another guy that wants to stay in Pittsburgh. In three years in the Steel City, Devonshire recorded over 80 total tackles, eight interceptions, and three touchdowns. Four of those interceptions came just last season. 

Devonshire, who also has experience as a returner, is known for his game-winning interception returned for a touchdown during the Backyard Brawl.

A playmaker like Devonshire would thrive in the current Steelers' defense, as he would be in a nice position to develop and not have to make all of the plays, but also do his thing at the same time. Pairing him up with Joey Porter Jr. would be a nice show for Pittsburgh fans. Again, Devonshire is a guy who won't be taken early, leaving the door open for receiver and center early. 

Steelers May Have To Re-Sign Familiar Face At Center

If the Steelers do decide to go after a wide receiver in the first round and not end up with something promising at center after the draft, they may be forced to re-sign Mason Cole. Cole was released by the Steelers as soon as they were given the chance when the offseason was official. After two seasons as the center for the Steelers, Cole did not show enough promise to keep his job or to put any confidence into the front office. 

However, the Steelers may have to go for a round three with Cole, or at least bring him in as a backup. The Steelers were unable to land any of the veteran and qualified centers early on in free agency, leaving not much left on the table. Relying on finding your starting center in the draft is risky, but either way, the Steelers will look to wait until after the draft to decide on reuniting with Cole. 

What do you think? Should the Steelers draft some close neighbors from down the block? Let us know in the comments!

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