Steelers shockingly disrespected in latest 2024 NFL mock draft
The 2023 NFL Draft may have just wrapped up, but it's never too early to prepare for next year's draft. In fact, many of the teams across the league will be meeting with their area scouts in just a few weeks to discuss the rising seniors across the country, while making notes of potential draft-eligible […]
The 2023 NFL Draft may have just wrapped up, but it's never too early to prepare for next year's draft.
In fact, many of the teams across the league will be meeting with their area scouts in just a few weeks to discuss the rising seniors across the country, while making notes of potential draft-eligible underclassmen.
So when Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports made his first 2024 NFL mock draft, I was excited to see who the Steelers would select. That was until I saw that pick would occur at ninth overall.
Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 9 Overall): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Here is what Wilson said about his projection of Egbuka:
It was easy for Egbuka to get lost in the shuffle at WRU, what with Garrett Williams, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., but he's a first-round talent.
I couldn't agree more, In fact, I think Egbuka comps to a sturdier Chris Olave, another former Ohio State Buckeye that lit up the league during his rookie campaign last season.
My issue lies with the positioning of the pick and then the selection that is being made. The Steelers' down year was last season. With a rookie quarterback, poor offensive line, injured defense, and season of change atop the organization, Pittsburgh still managed to go 9-8, narrowly missing the playoffs.
So am I supposed to believe that barring any season-ending injury at a critical position, the Steelers will be worse than they were in 2022, earning a top-10 pick in next year's draft?
Sorry not buying it. And I'll say this much, if the Steelers are in fact picking that high, and Broderick Jones, Kenny Pickett, T.J. Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick all play the majority of the season, then heads will spin in Pittsburgh, with quarterback and head coach on the chopping block.
Which is why this positional fit is puzzling to me. I would bet my bottom dollar that if the Steelers were anywhere near the top 10, they would address the trenches, pass rusher, corner, or quarterback.
Hopefully, this all comes out in the wash as no Steeler fan expects or at this point, would even tolerate a losing season of that magnitude. I fully expect the Steelers to build off of last year and expect them to be a dark horse in the race for the AFC.
But expectations change fast in the NFL, so while it's entirely possible that the Steelers are back where they belong this fall, we have to ponder a reality where they aren't, no matter how infuriating it is.
