The 2024 NFL Draft is now just a few days away. The Steelers currently hold the 20th overall pick in the draft and 4 picks in the Top 100. Typically, the Steelers full draft board contains around 200 players. Even if the Steelers do not have a major need at the position, the player will still appear on their board, because at some point they would likely become a value pick (for instance, the top edge rushers might be ranked lower on the Steelers board than they are for other teams because they don’t have an immediate need there but at some point in the draft they would be the best prospects remaining). The only things that could take a player completely off the Steelers draft board would be scheme fits, injuries, or off-field issues where the team simply has too many concerns to even consider drafting the player. Omar Khan was a little more aggressive in moving around the draft board last year than Kevin Colbert typically had been, but also mostly stuck to the Steelers trends of drafting players that had strong Pro Day attendance or came to Pittsburgh for Pre-Draft Visits.
Steelers compiled what they think are the best 20 players in the draft on Friday. It's approach they have used the past several years rather than conducting multiple mock drafts. That way, they know they are guaranteed of getting one of the 20 best players available.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) April 22, 2024
In this spirit of how the Steelers operate, the staff at SCB got together over the last week to do our best to put together a Steelers-specific Draft Board based on both player abilities and team needs. Omar Khan has completely restructured the team so far this offseason with an overhaul of the quarterback room along with other free agent signings. The Steelers enter the draft with four major needs – center, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and cornerback. Beyond that, adding depth along both lines, at inside linebacker along with depth at corner and wide receiver will be the priorities in later rounds.
The Top 20
1. Marvin Harrison Jr (WR-Ohio St)
The SCB War Room was unanimous that Marvin Harrison Jr was the most impactful player in this draft class. If we could add any player in this class, it would be Harrison. He offers the ideal combination of size, speed, and athleticism to go with his NFL bloodlines. Harrison has the traits to be a dominant receiver in this league with a full slate of route-running and the ability to make significant plays after the catch. Harrison is one of several players in this draft class from the St. Joe’s Prep All-Star Team that gets assembled each year in Philadelphia to compete for the Pennsylvania High School State Championship.
2. Malik Nabers (WR-LSU)
For many, Harrison and Nabers are 1A and 1B in this draft class. While the SCB War Room was unanimous that we preferred Harrison, that is not to discount what Nabers brings to the table. He also has the ability to be a true #1 receiver with elite speed and dynamic playmaking abilities. Nabers played both outside and in the slot at LSU and can be moved around the field to create mis-matches as needed. He has the long speed to beat corners over the top and the explosiveness to win in short areas and make guys miss after the catch.
3. Joe Alt (OT-Notre Dame)
Alt is the top tackle in this year’s draft class. The Steelers used a first round pick on Broderick Jones last year with the intent of Jones being the left tackle of the future. That said, Dan Moore has shown he can not play right tackle so the Steelers are still in the market for a bookend tackle. Alt is the top tackle in the draft class. He is solid in both run blocking and pass protection. Alt is nimble on his feet and has good body control to maintain his positioning above his feet and not lunge. He is almost certainly a Top 10 pick. If we could have our choice of any tackle in this draft class, it would be Alt.
4. Caleb Williams (QB-USC)
There is no doubt in our minds that Caleb Williams will go #1 overall to the Bears. Quarterback is the most valuable position in the NFL and with the Bears trading away Justin Fields to the Steelers, they have a significant need at the position. Williams is the most talented passer in this class. On tape, he makes plays that earned him the hype as a generational passer. However, he is slightly under-sized and has a propensity for taking risks where he doesn’t need to take them. While the Steelers certainly need a quarterback of the future, we ranked Williams 5th because of other more pressing needs in the immediacy.
5. Olu Fashanu (OT-Penn St)
The Steelers have three major needs on the offensive side of the ball – tackle, center, and wide receiver. Fashanu was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and has starteed 20 games over the last two seasons. He is still relatively young, having entered college at 17 and is just over 21 coming into the NFL. He needs some work on his run blocking technique but has the body control and technical skills to be a proficient pass blocker. Fashanu’s claim to fame is never allowing a sack in 29 games in college. He has the footwork, size, and overall athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL. In all likelihood, he will hear his name called in the Top 15 picks in the draft, especially with the tackle-needy teams sitting in the mid-teens.
6. Rome Odunze (WR-Washington)
This is an elite class of wide receiver talent. Odunze was a big part of Washington’s run to the National Championship Game as well as Michael Penix’s Heisman campaign. He has good size and plays with physicality to win at the catch point. Odunze has a wide catch radius that can turn off-target throws into big completions. He is an all-around quality receiver who has the production and athleticism to shine in the NFL.
7. Troy Fautanu (OT-Washington)
Fautanu has manned the left side of Washington’s line for the last 2.5 seasons. He has 29 starts at left tackle and 2 at left guard. He may be slightly undersized for what a typical NFL tackle, but has elite athleticism for the position. His lower-body agility certainly helps in pass sets as well as getting out in front of running plays as a lead blocker. Fautanu may also have some positional versatility – at Guard or even potentially at Center (though he did not play the later in college). Despite his lack of height for the tackle position (just 6’3 1/2″) , Fautanu does have long arms (over 34″) and his footwork and athleticism can get him to the right spot. The one potential knock on him is his age (he will turn 24 years old this fall). He came to Pittsburgh for a visit and grew up a Steelers fan. His availability in the draft will likely depend on how other teams view his best fit position in the NFL.
8. Quinyon Mitchell (CB-Toledo)
The Steelers biggest need on the defensive side of the ball is at Cornerback. Mitchell was one of the stars of the Senior Bowl and is the most complete corner in this draft class. He has the size and length to play all over the field and the tenacity to match up with top receivers on the outside. He ran a blazing fast 40 at the Combine and has the unique blend of size, speed, and length that is coveted at the corner position. Mitchell has a nose for the ball with 44 passes defended and 6 interceptions over the last two seasons.
9. Jayden Daniels (QB-LSU)
The Heisman winner will in all likelihood be taken in the top three picks of the Draft. However, given the Steelers immediate needs at other positions, he slid down our draft board. At 23 years old, Daniels is one of the older QBs in this draft class (though not as grizzled as Bo Nix). Daniels has the athleticism to make things happen with his feet outside the pocket and the breakaway speed to turn scrambles into home runs. He led all FBS QBs in rushing the last two seasons with over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs on the ground. He was also an accurate passer, throwing for 3,800 yards and 40 TDs, completing over 70% of his throws. While Daniels does not have Lamar Jackson’s athleticism, he is somewhat reminiscent of a pre-injury RGIII. His biggest challenge as a pro will be to avoid taking big hits that can damage his somewhat slender frame.
10. JC Latham (OT-Alabama)
Latham has been a two year starter with 27 straight starts at right tackle. He has a strong base and anchor. What stands out on tape with Latham is his upper body strength. Once a defender gets into his chest, he latches on and does not let go. He is able to stop bull rushes with his long arms and massive hands. There is some technique to clean up, but he can be an absolute mauler in the run game. Latham may not have the foot quickness to get out in front of screens or downfield runs, but he can absolutely set the edge as a right tackle. Given that the Steelers drafted Broderick Jones to play left tackle, Latham sticking with his more natural right tackle position would be exactly what the Steelers need to bookend their line.
11. Brock Bowers (TE-Georgia)
Bowers is easily the top tight end in this draft class and the only one worthy of a first round pick. He displayed dynamic athleticism at Georgia. He did not do athletic testing at either the Combine or his Pro Day due to a hamstring injury, but that doesn’t take away from the three years of game taps he had in Athens. He has the explosiveness of a wide receiver and a wide catch radius. Bowers has the versatility of a player like Antonio Gates who could fill the “Joker” role of a TE and a slot receiver. Bowers has outstanding change of direction and short area quickness to make guys miss after the catch and is not afraid of physicality and contact – including in run blocking. Bowers is an all-around tight end who could be a dynamic weapon in the NFL.
12. Terrion Arnold (CB-Alabama)
Arnold is an athlete capable of playing both in the slot or on the outside, and that versatility will make him a coveted player in this draft class. He can step in and play the slot immediately for any team. He uses his long arms to make plays on the ball and boasts elite short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability. He does not have the long speed of some other corners in this class, but he is a smart, heady player with very good footwork. Arnold had 26 passes defended and 6 interceptions over the last two seasons for Alabama. The Steelers dined with Arnold and fellow Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry before the Tide’s Pro Day.
13. Amarius Mims (OT-Georgia)
Mims is an absolute freak of an athlete at 6’7″ a lean 340 pounds with a nearly 87″ wingspan. For comparison, Broderick Jones was considered massive with a wingspan of around 83″ – Mims is a full 4″ wider in his reach. He is still very young and has just 8 games of starting experience under his belt. He missed half the season with an ankle injury this past year but tested well at the combine. Mims also has the athleticism to get out in space and be a road grader on screens and outside runs. He will need some time to come along with his technique, given his lack of playing time, but his ability to win with sheer size will get him a long way. At just 21 years old, there is plenty of upside for a player of his size. Mims might be one of the heaviest hitters in the draft class, his tape is full of highlights where he just knocks defenders to the ground.
14. Taliese Fuaga (OT-Oregon St)
Fuaga started the last two seasons at right tackle for Oregon State, playing in a zone running scheme. He was a team captain with the size and strength to step in on the right side of an NFL line. He might be more Pro-ready at this moment than Amarius Mims, but he does not have the physical traits of Mims (80.5″ wingspan, smaller, and a slower 40 time). Therefore, when discussing the two in the SCB War Room, we liked Mims’ long-term potential more than Fuaga. In the long term, Fuaga could wind up sliding inside to guard. The Steelers did bring him in for a pre-draft visit, so there was some interest there from a scouting standpoint.
15. Nate Wiggins (CB-Clemson)
Wiggins is a player the Steelers have spent a lot of time with during the draft process. They attended Clemson’s Pro Day en masse with Khan, Tomlin, and Teryl Austin. Additionally, Wiggins came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit. He ripped off one of the fastest 40 times at the Combine (a blistering 4.28!). However, the concern with Wiggins is his durability. He missed time each of the last two seasons with injuries and pulled out of the Combine after running his 40 with a groin injury. He will likely be taken in the first round because of his speed, but he ranked a notch lower than the other two corners in our opinion because of his injury concerns. Wiggins does have the frame to add some bulk and reportedly put on about 10 pounds between the Combine and his Pro Day. Wiggins is known for never quitting on a play and has the ability to make up ground in a hurry. He has solid ball skills with 25 passes defended and 3 interceptions (including two pick-sixes) the last two years. He was also a contributor on special teams with a blocked field goal.
16. Byron Murphy II (DT-Texas)
Murphy is an incredibly talented defensive lineman and may be the first defensive player selected in this draft. He ranked lower on our board given that the Steelers already have three entrenched starters on the D-line and have bigger needs at other positions. Murphy has some of the best tape from a defensive prospect you’ll see in this draft class. The production + athleticism make him an intriguing player that we hope doesn’t end up in Cincinnati (or any other AFC North city, for that matter). He has a quick first step and the hand strength to battle through the middle and be disruptive against the run as well as pressuring the quarterback. Last season he had 5 sacks and 8.5 TFLs from the interior of the line.
17. Cooper DeJean (DB-Iowa)
DeJean is a freak athlete who played all over Iowa’s defensive backfield. He has the size, strength, and physicality to handle slot duties or play as a safety. DeJean is a true hybrid defensive back who has good ball skills and was a contributor on special teams in both coverage units and as a punt returner. He was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Punt Returner of the Year. In 2022 he returned three of his five picks for touchdowns. DeJean is dangerous any time he can get his hands on the ball and whoever drafts him is going to get an all around playmaker.
18. Brian Thomas (WR-LSU)
Thomas is a speed demon who lit up the Combine with a 4.33 40-yard dash, an incredible number at 6’2″ 210 pounds. He did not run agility drills and did not work out at his Pro Day. With just one year as a primary starter, the upside is certainly there but he lacks the consistent year-over-year production of some other receivers in this class. Before the 2023 campaign where he led the nation in TDs (17), Thomas had more drops (8) than TDs (7) through his first two seasons. He has the speed to take the top off a defense as well as the quickness and burst to get open in short areas. He needs to work on his route-running, but possesses the size, speed, and physicality (including in run blocking) that NFL teams covet.
19. Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB-Alabama)
McKinstry is a player hailed for his leadership traits and high football IQ. He is a smart and heady player that is a technician at the position. He can play either inside or outside and despite not having elite athleticism shows a calm and collected presence on tape. McKinstry is a player that makes the role look easy. There is not a lot of wasted movement and he rarely seems to be scrambling because he is hardly ever out of position. McKinstry has long arms and isn’t afraid to stick his nose in against the run.
20. Jackson Powers-Johnson (C-Oregon)
In the opinion of the SCB War Room, Jackson Powers-Johnson is the best pure Center prospect in the Draft. JPJ (not to be confused with the other JPJ on our roster) won the Rimmington Award as the nation’s top center. He has just one season under his belt at center – previously playing guard and one game at defensive tackle for Oregon. On tape, JPJ is light on his feet and is a mover in both run and pass protection. He has some technique issues to clean up with just one year at the position, but also has the natural athleticism in both run blocking and pass blocking to be a solid pro. JPJ has battled multiple injuries throughout his career, so his medical testing will be important, but he started all 13 games for Oregon last year. The Steelers have a glaring need at Center, and in our eyes JPJ is the best of the bunch.
The Next 12
21. Graham Barton (OL-Duke)
Barton has been a trendy name connected to the Steelers late in the process after he came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit. He is a bit of a tweener positionally. Barton played left tackle for Duke the last three seasons – starting 34 games there. However, his wingspan is a bit short for a typical NFL tackle, so most projections see him moving inside. Barton tested off the charts athletically so many see him as a Center or Guard at the next level. Barton did start five games at Center as a freshman in 2020 but has not played there since. He will need to rely on his athleticism while he refines his technique on the interior. Barton’s draft position will likely depend on how teams view him – as a guard or center – as well his recovery from a left shoulder injury that shortened his senior year and held him out of some combine workouts.
22. Dallas Turner (EDGE-Alabama)
This draft class does not have the top-end talent at pass rusher as some other recent classes. Additionally, with the Steelers having TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith under contract with an up-and-coming player in Nick Herbig, we did not see EDGE Rusher as a huge need for the team. Dallas Turner is the best in the class. His best traits are his hand usage and his quick burst off the line. Last season he put up 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss for the Crimson Tide. Turner may be slightly undersized but has the work ethic, motor, and leadership traits to be an impactful pass rusher in the NFL.
23. Jared Verse (EDGE-Florida St)
Verse’s career trajectory took him from Albany where he dominated at the FCS level to Florida State where he continued his outstanding play. He posted double-digit tackles for loss and 9 sacks each of the last two seasons against ACC competition. He was also a contributor on special teams with a blocked kick each year. Verse has the motor and drive to be a tenacious pass rusher with an explosive burst off the line.
24. Adonai Mitchell (WR-Texas)
Adonai “AD” Mitchell is a lanky athletic receiver who was a big part of Texas’ run to the College Football Playoff after starting his college career at Georgia. He put up a career high 11 TDs last year and is still relatively young, especially in this draft class. He needs to improve his route-running but displays excellent speed and competitiveness outside the numbers. He has strong hands and only dropped one ball in his final two years of college. Mitchell is adept at creating separation in short areas but also has the long speed to go after deep balls. He has the traits to be an all-around receiver but needs some refinement in his game. In our opinion, we would not take him at 20th overall but he would certainly be an option if the Steelers trade down in the first round.
25. Laiatu Latu (EDGE-UCLA)
In an EDGE rusher class that has more depth than top-end talent, we liked what Latu brings to the table. The Steelers don’t have a huge need at the position but Latu is an intriguing prospect that will likely hear his name called on the first day of the Draft. He is one of the best stories in this draft class, after missing the 2020 season due to a serious neck injury, he medically retired from football in 2021. He played rugby during rehab from the injury and was offered a transfer spot on UCLA’s roster in 2022 when he unretired and was first-team All-Pac 12 each of the last two seasons. Latu’s two years at UCLA have seen him put up gaudy numbers – double digit sacks both years and 34 total TFLs. Given the time he has spent in college, he has some of the most refined technique in the class of pass rushers.
26. Tyler Guyton (OT-Oklahoma)
Guyton might be the most “boom or bust” prospect of this offensive line class. He started his college career at TCU as a tight end then transferred to Oklahoma where he bulked up into a tackle. He started the last two seasons at right tackle for the Sooners and took part in the Senior Bowl. He has impressive athleticism but is still in his learning curve as a tackle given the recent transition to the position. He has the size (6’7″ 322 lbs) of an NFL tackle but there is a lot of work to be done from a fundamentals standpoint. Guyton came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit and is considered by many (including us) to be a fringe first round prospect.
27. Zach Frazier (C-West Virginia)
Frazier is the second best pure center in the draft class. We considered him a borderline first round talent where taking him at 20 might be a bit rich but he could be a value pick in a trade down scenario. Frazier is the most experienced center in the draft class with 38 starts there over the last four years. He was lauded for his leadership traits, as shown by his teammates rallying around him after he suffered a season-ending broken leg in November. He has a background as a wrestler and displays good footwork, toughness, and leverage. His worst game came against Texas’ stout interior duo of Murphy and Sweat, but overall he has the toughness and intelligence to step into the starting lineup immediately.
28. Chop Robinson (EDGE-Pennn St)
Robinson is an athletic freak who is young and raw at the position. That said, raw pass rushers with upside have typically been attractive players in the first round. In a draft class low on top-end pass rushers, Robinson’s 3-cone drill of 7.01 seconds should stand out. That is an elite testing number at the drill most often correlated with EDGE rusher success. We saw him as a first round talent despite just having one year of starting experience under his belt. Chop displays explosiveness of the line and while he doesn’t have the collegiate production numbers, he reminds us a bit of Bud Dupree. Similarly, Dupree did not have a ton of college production but his off-the-charts athleticism made him a first round pick.
29. Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton (DT-Illinois)
Newton is a powerful defensive tackle who plays with an edge and was a captain on Illinois defense. He did not work out at the Combine due to a right foot injury but on tape displays impressive quickness and burst. He is of the mold of a pass rushing defensive tackle. Over the last two seasons, he tallied 22.5 TFLs and 13 sacks. He plays with a high motor and has a smaller and compact frame. His best spot in the NFL will likely be as a 3-tech where he can penetrate the gaps and be disruptive against the run and collapse the pocket.
30. Drake Maye (QB-UNC)
In all likelihood, Drake Maye is taken in the Top 5 picks in this draft. However, when constructing our Steelers-specific Draft Board, and taking both team needs and player skills into account, Maye tumbled down the board. We were apprehensive about his sub-65% completion percentage. Maye is still relatively young (just 21 years old) but can make some terrible decisions with the football. Our fear with Maye is that he is the kind of player that could get a coach (and/or GM) fired. Some team is going to take a risk on his potential with a high pick, and he has the physical traits to succeed, but still has a lot of growing to do and likely needs a redshirt year before being thrust into a starting NFL role.
31. JJ McCarthy (QB-Michigan)
McCarthy is the strong-armed quarterback from Michigan who led his team to the National Championship, throwing 22 TDs each of the last two seasons. In Michigan’s run-heavy offense, McCarthy wasn’t asked to throw much and saw softer coverages when he did. He is still relatively young, having just turned 21, and his arm strength gives him some upside. He is nimble enough on his feet to get away from trouble and is able to pick up first downs on the ground. His accuracy can get away from him at times and can either be on point or wildly off, especially on throws to the boundary. He might be the quarterback with the most intangibles and leadership “it” factor in this class. That said, McCarthy is still a project who needs some time to develop. We would not take him at 20 and consider him a borderline first round talent, but in a QB-needy league, we fully recognize that someone will likely select him in the Top 15.
32. Xavier Leggette (WR-South Carolina)
Sometimes it’s hard to scout the player and not the helmet, but Leggette has a lot of similarities to fellow South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel. He is tough, physical, and big-bodied whose explosiveness can win in short areas. He is a dangerous YAC weapon and is at his best on straight-line routes like 9s and crossers. Another feather in his cap is his physicality in run blocking and has played gunner in punt coverages as well.
The Next Best
QB: Bo Nix (Oregon), Michael Penix (Washington)
RB: Jonathon Brooks (Texas)
WR: Ladd McConkey (Georgia), Keon Coleman (Florida St), Roman Wilson (Michigan), Ricky Pearsall (Florida), Xavier Worthy (Texas), Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky)
TE: Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas)
OT: Kingsley Suamataia (BYU), Patrick Paul (Houston), Roger Rosengarten (Washington)
OG: Jordan Morgan (Arizona), Cooper Beebe (Kansas St)
OC: Tanor Bortolini (Wisconsin), Sedrick Van Pran (Georgia)
DL: Kris Jenkins (Michigan), Maason Smith (LSU)
EDGE: Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan), Darius Robinson (Missouri)
LB: Junior Colson (Michigan), Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M)
CB: Mike Sainristil (Michigan), Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri), Andru Phillips (Kentucky), Max Melton (Rutgers)
S: Jaden Hicks (Washington St)
