Everyone has an opinion on which positions the Pittsburgh Steelers should target in the 2024 NFL Draft. The biggest question mark on the roster has to be the quarterback position, considering how important a signal-caller has become in the new era of the NFL. Kenny Pickett getting one more chance seems likely and given the organization’s draft position, selecting a top-tier quarterback isn’t in the cards, given a league-wide need for the position. Free agency and the trade market may be an option to bring someone in to replace or compete with Pickett, but Omar Khan still has his hands full in the draft regardless.
Abate: Steelers 2024 Mock Draft 2.0
The Steelers need help on both sides of the ball and the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator allowed me to put together the perfect draft for Khan and co. There’s no quarterback thrown in there, but the holes that needed to be filled are taken care of. It all starts with a rising center that has nearly guaranteed himself a first-round selection come late April.
Round One – 20th Overall – Jackson Powers-Johnson – Center – University of Oregon
Jackson Powers-Johnson found himself hanging around in the second round prior to the Senior Bowl. Things have changed since and the center out of the University of Oregon could be only the second at his position to ever be drafted in the first round by Pittsburgh. The disastrous snaps coming from Mason Cole were too much to handle at the end of 2023 and his replacement is likely to be selected via the draft.
The only other center that the franchise invested in as early as Powers-Johnson could be taken was Maurkice Pouncey. That turned out alright for the Steelers. He has a bully-like mentality and would fit right in with the new Arthur Smith, run-heavy offense. It will be hard for Khan to turn away if Powers-Johnson is sitting there at 20.
Round Two – 52nd Overall – Kamari Lassiter – Cornerback – University of Georgia
What a gift this was. A selection of Kamari Lassiter would further prove that Pittsburgh has a new affinity for the University of Georgia. Some mock drafts have the cornerback going early in the second round, but he fell here and made too much sense. Partnering him with Joey Porter Jr. could lead to opposing quarterbacks having nightmares.
Lassiter only had one interception in his three years as a Bulldog, but has the ability to be a lockdown corner at the next level. Pittsburgh may have found a gem in Porter Jr., but they need another given the state of the position otherwise. Selections of Powers-Johnson and Lassiter would immediately put the Steelers in as frontrunners for the best two rounds to start off.
Round Three – 84th Overall – Malachi Corley – Wide Receiver – Western Kentucky
Can the Steelers nail three out of their first three draft picks? The 5’11”, 200-pound receiver who is Malachi Corley had a heck of a collegiate career. His junior season saw him catch over 100 passes while he logged 1,295 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He hauled in a total of 29 touchdowns at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023.
Pittsburgh is in need of another weapon for whoever is playing quarterback and Corley fits that description. Diontae Johnson only has one more year on his contract, which brings drafting a wideout fully in the picture for 2024.
Round Four – 120th Overall – Christian Jones – Tackle – University of Texas
The hope is that 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones can find his natural position on the left side as Dan Moore Jr. acts as a backup. The right tackle spot may be wide open after the release of Chukwuma Okorafor. If the Steelers are looking for a guy with some experience, Christian Jones from the University of Texas is their guy, especially in the fourth round.
Jones played a total of 61 games throughout his career as a Longhorn, and has experience on both the left and right sides. He’s a ginormous 6’6″ and roughly 320 pounds. It’s not common for Pittsburgh to give a starting nod to a fourth-rounder, but Jones would have the opportunity to come in right away and earn the job.
Round Four – 121st Overall – McKinnley Jackson – Defensive Line – Texas A&M
Help on the defensive line is a must for a unit that is aging and lacking a significant amount of young talent. Texas A&M defensive lineman, McKinnley Jackson is a very athletic 300+ pounder with the ability to disrupt backfields. He can get off quickly in the interior of the defensive line, but still has some skill sets to be polished off.
Pittsburgh needs help on the front alongside Cameron Heyward, and while Keeanu Benton seems to have star-like potential, the organization needs to bolster the unit in 2024.
Round Six – 198th Overall – Steele Chambers – Linebacker – Ohio State University
How can a team named the Steelers that needs depth at the linebacker position pass on a guy named Steele Chambers? After playing in 50 collegiate games, the linebackers flashed his knack for creating splash plays in his final three years. He was able to haul in four interceptions along with 113 tackles in that timeframe. He may not turn into Ryan Shazier, but gives the franchise someone to develop as Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts lead the way.
Round Seven – 237th Overall – Trey Taylor – Safety – Air Force
There was a time when it was difficult for student-athletes from military academies to jump right to the NFL. Those rules were softened not too long ago and depth at the safety position is needed for the Steelers. Trey Taylor was an All-Mountain West Second Team member in 2022 and while he might not be the best guy to put in a starting role immediately, his talent is there. He could be a potential late-round steal for the Steelers.
