3 goals the Steelers should look to check off in the 2024 NFL Draft
While we think of the NFL Draft as a singular event that's a marquee on the NFL calendar, it's really the culmination of the most important part of the offseason: Team building. So with the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needing to address multiple issues, there are three goals that they can't afford to leave draft weekend […]
While we think of the NFL Draft as a singular event that's a marquee on the NFL calendar, it's really the culmination of the most important part of the offseason:
Team building.
So with the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needing to address multiple issues, there are three goals that they can't afford to leave draft weekend without checking off:
Priority #1: Draft A Right Tackle
I know what you're thinking, "We have one WR and no center, but RT is the most important goal?"
Yes, I'll explain:
Pittsburgh not only received underwhelming play at LT last year, but they were forced to play 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones at RT, instead of left, where he was drafted to play.
And the direction all offseason from Pittsburgh's brass has been to get Jones back to left tackle so they can start his development and stop stunting his growth.
On top of that, Pittsburgh is going to start either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, both of whom will need pass protection to play to their strengths as pocket movers and scramblers.
So while the next two positions matter, tackle is priority #1.
Priority #2: Acquire A WR
Look there's a chance that by the time your reading this, the Steelers have already acquired their WR via a trade for Brandon Aiyuk. But if they don't, the current WR corps is not suitable for regular-season action.
I would like to say the group is headlined by George Pickens, but in reality, that's their only option. And that's no shade at players like Van Jefferson or Calvin Austin III, but they aren't the proven performers that Diontae Johnson was and certainly aren't needle movers, something of increasing need in today's NFL.
Priority #3: Draft A Center
Should the above go to plan, the next step for Pittsburgh is to draft a center. They would be relying on Ryan McCollum, a center with only one game of starting experience, or calling back Mason Cole if they don't.
That leaves Sedrick Van Pran as an ideal fit in rounds three or four of the draft, or even Tanor Bortolini from Wisconsin around the same spot.
