Steelers Find A Way To Address All Their Needs In New 3-Round Mock Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a couple of different positional needs on the roster that they hope to fill in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh will be in the market for a right tackle, a center, and a wide receiver to try to satisfy the deficiencies at those positions on the team. The Athletic's senior writer and draft analyst, Nick Baumgardner, gifted the team an almost perfect scenario in a recent three-round mock draft by landing players with pedigree at each position the organization needs to address. 

Baumgardner had the Steelers picking up Alabama Crimson Tide offensive tackle JC Latham in the first round. The junior measured 6'6" inches and 342 lbs. at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his profile of the Oak Creek, Wisconsin native that he has the size, strength, and talent to be a heralded right tackle or a Pro Bowl-level guard in the NFL. Baumgardner thinks landing Latham at pick 20 would be a potential steal. 

"This would be terrific value for Pittsburgh," he wrote. "The 21-year-old prospect has mountains of potential as a run-blocking tackle or guard. He still has some pass-pro consistency issues to iron out, though."    

Taking Latham, who was graded on NFL.com as a year 1 starter, would allow Pittsburgh to follow through on General Manager Omar Khan's promise to get 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones back to playing on the left side. Jones got his first career start on his natural left side against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5 replacing an injured Dan Moore Jr. He rose back into the starting lineup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9, but was playing on the right side. He remained a starter on his unnatural side until the end of the season. 

Jones earned some high praise for the job he did at right tackle to help elevate the Steelers' running game down the stretch. However, his destiny is to be a left tackle, and picking Latham would allow Pittsburgh to get him back there. 

Baumgardner handed Pittsburgh wide receiver Roman Wilson from the University of Michigan in the second round at pick 51. Wilson was the leading receiver for the 2024 National Champions, catching 48 balls for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wilson is projected by NFL.com to eventually be a starter. Zierlein wrote in his breakdown that he has the "separation potential to make a quarterback’s life easier, and figures to continue his ascension as a starting slot talent." He is a terrific athlete, but will need to work on his route running. He could be a nice fit with George Pickens as the team tries to find a second playmaker at wideout.

The organization landed Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones with their first pick in the third round. Although Joey Porter Jr. has become a reliable shutdown option for the team, Pittsburgh still requires more assistance in the cornerback department. Donte Jackson was acquired through a trade with the Carolina Panthers, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is a big admirer of his abilities. If Jackson sticks at the outside corner spot, a new nickel cornerback would be needed for Pittsburgh. Chandon Sullivan played this role in 2023, but is currently a free agent. Zierlein thinks Jones will be best suited in the NFL to play slot corner.

Steelers Fill Final Need With Second Third Round Pick

If the draft board ends up falling as Baumgardner predicts, Steeler Nation will have to thank Khan again for nabbing a third-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles for sending away Kenny Pickett. In this scenario, Pittsburgh lands Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran. Pittsburgh desperately needs a center after jettisoning Mason Cole right after the Super Bowl. 

If the draft fell this way for Pittsburgh, it would be a slam-dunk success without considering any other late-round picks. The team would land instant starters on the offensive line, wide receiver, and some depth at cornerback. 

What do you think of the way this mock draft unfolded? Would you be happy with these picks? Comment below!  

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