The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to stay put and let their guy fall to them during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday evening. A few shocking selections came in the top 19 (top 12 specifically), which led to many solid players sneaking out of the teens and into the range for General Manager Omar Khan. The result was versatile offensive lineman Troy Fautanu out of the University of Washington. The Steel City could very well have their bookend tackles for the next decade if everything pans out, and now Khan will shift his focus to day two.
The end of round one saw a run on the second batch of wide receivers, which makes one wonder if the Steelers are content staying at 51st overall, or moving up to grab either a pass-catcher, or one of the centers in Jackson Powers-Johnson or Zach Frazier. Patience is a virtue, but both centers may be gone by the time the Steelers’ second pick rolls around. It’s a deep wide receiver class, but an unexpected first-round selection of Ricky Pearsall may have Pittsburgh change their plans, as well.
Three teams stick out that are picking ahead of the Steelers in the second round. It’s easy to look directly at an NFC franchise that is rebuilding, and got their quarterback of the future in round one. The Washington Commanders also have two second-round selections.
1.) Washington Commanders – Picks #36 & #40 Overall
If center is the goal and Pittsburgh wants to officially solidify their line for the long-term, jumping ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers may be imperative. The Chargers hold the 36th overall pick and while wide receiver is an important position for them, Jim Harbaugh loves the trenches and might want a new face to snap the ball to Justin Herbert.
Carolina comes in with the 39th overall selection. If Khan doesn’t want to jump all the way up to 36, the Commanders have the ability to take their guy there and then go on to select someone again at number 51, assuming Pittsburgh gives that pick up in the deal. Washington will take on the picks it can get, and might just be the perfect partner for the Steelers, but grabbing 40 instead of 36 could prove to be costly, which leads to the next possibility.
2.) Houston Texans – Pick #42 Overall
Insert another team with two second-round selections. The Houston Texans are already set up for an incredible future with CJ Stroud, but picking up even more capital to round out the roster might be in the cards. Their first pick in round two comes at 42nd, while the second is at 59th. Jumping back nine spots might cost a pretty penny, but the two third-round picks in Khan’s pocket a good start to negotiations.
This scenario makes a ton of sense if one of the top two remaining centers isn’t taken by the Chargers or Panthers. What’s interesting is Los Angeles and Pittsburgh both went with offensive tackles in round one. It might be a stretch to go center in round two, but if the Steelers love Powers-Johnson or Frazier and one, or both, are available when the Texans are on the clock, it might make too much sense to officially fortify the line.
3.) Las Vegas Raiders – Pick #44 Overall
You have to feel for fans of the Las Vegas Raiders. The organization patiently sat at 13th overall thinking that there was no chance a guy like Michael Penix Jr. would be taken prior, but the Atlanta Falcons swooped in and shocked everyone at eighth overall. There is now a steep drop off in quarterback available, which potentially makes the Raiders open for business with the 44th overall selection.
Las Vegas has a very standard draft with one pick in every round, with the exception of having two in the seventh. Depending on how the board falls, Khan calling out West could tempt General Manager Tom Telesco to garner more draft capital in an effort to rebuild the franchise. This wouldn’t cost Pittsburgh as much as the other two scenarios, making it even more attractive if the right player is available.
Steelers’ Third-Round Capital Making Trade Up Very Tempting
Having two third-round selections is going to make it so that Khan can jump up if the right guy is falling a little bit into the second round. It would be wildly uncharacteristic for the Steelers to go offensive line in back-to-back picks, but the message has been sent. The team wants to solidify the group with the big men up front. A receiver is also certainly in play here if Pittsburgh moves up. Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey and Keon Coleman all remain on the board.
