The 2024 NFL Draft is soon here, which means it is soon time to put the mock draft simulators away until next year. The excitement of mock drafts will be replaced by the letdown of our favorite team not drafting the prospect we just know will be a great player. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their draft needs to be a good one. Their quarterback play should be better in 2024, which means they have a chance to find themselves back in the playoffs if they can fill some key needs in the draft. This seven round Steelers mock draft gives a blueprint of what their draft could look like.
Final Pittsburgh Steelers Seven Round Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 20: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Over the past month, Amarius Mims has been a very common mock draft selection for the Steelers. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were at his pro day, and the team met with him both at the combine and for a pre-draft visit. Historically, Pittsburgh’s first round pick is relatively easy to predict based on their pre-draft activity. Mims checks all those boxes and fills a major need for the Steelers. Drafting Mims would allow them to move Broderick Jones to left tackle and slide Dan Moore Jr. to the bench. While Mims may not be ready to start right away, he has a very high ceiling. With the right development, Mims could be the Steelers right tackle for years to come.
Other players considered: Washington OT Troy Fautanu, Duke C/G Graham Barton, Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
Round 2, Pick 51: C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Zach Frazier certainly feels like a future Steeler. The question is simply whether or not he will be available when they make their pick at 51. If he’s on the board, he’ll be headed to Pittsburgh. If Frazier is still available as the draft gets into the middle of the second round, they made trade up for him. For this Steelers mock draft, he’s still available at 51 so no trade is required. The Steelers don’t have a center on their roster right now, so this would be a no-brainer. They haven’t had consistent center play since Maurkice Pouncey started his end of career decline. Frazier is ready to be a day-one starter with potential to be the Steelers center for the next decade.
Other players considered: Florida WR Ricky Pearsall, Rutgers CB Max Melton, Florida State DL Braden Fiske
Round 3, Pick 84: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Similar to Frazier, the Steelers wouldn’t be able to submit their ticket fast enough if Malachi Corley was still on the board at 84. They badly need a slot receiver and Corley could slide right into that role as a rookie. He is not a great route runner, but when schemed open, he is great with the ball in his hands. Once he has the ball, Corley will rack up the broken tackles and YAC. While George Pickens is the explosive play, deep ball threat, Corley could be the underneath, safety blanket type of receiver. The Steelers probably need to make two moves to bolster their wide receiver room. Adding Corley as a slot target would be a step in the right direction.
Other players considered: Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, LSU DT Maason Smith, Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter
Round 3, Pick 98: CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky
The Steelers have their starting outside cornerbacks for the 2024 season, but they need a slot corner. Andru Phillips played both outside and in the slot at Kentucky. He is a good enough athlete to play either spot, but he is a little undersized to play the boundary, at least as a rookie. Phillips is very good in run support, which Pittsburgh expects of their slot cornerbacks. In 2024, Phillips could get snaps in the slot with the potential to move outside in the future after adjusting to the size and physicality of NFL wide receivers. Phillips might still be available in the fourth round for the Steelers, but without a cornerback to this point in the mock draft, he comes off the board at 98.
Other players considered: Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher, Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Washington WR Jalen McMillan
Round 4, Pick 119: DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
While the offensive side of the ball has rightfully gotten most of the attention, defensive tackle is an underrated need for the Steelers. They need another depth piece for 2024. Long-term, they need another starter alongside 2023 rookie standout Keeanu Benton, as perennial Pro-Bowler Cameron Heyward is nearing the end of his career. While he doesn’t have the size to be a true nose tackle, Tyler Davis has the strength and leverage to be a solid interior defender. He was strongest against the run in college, but has shown the potential to be a productive pass rusher, too. Davis isn’t a very common mock draft name for the Steelers, but Tomlin and Khan were at Clemson’s pro day, so he very well could and should be on their board.
Other players considered: Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini, Missouri LB Ty’ron Hooper, Louisville WR Jamari Thrash
Round 6, Pick 178: LB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
After signing Patrick Queen this offseason, the Steelers have their rotation of starting linebackers. Queen will be an every down player. Behind him, Cole Holecomb and Elandon Roberts will share snaps depending what package the defense is in. After suffering a gruesome knee injury in 2023, Holecomb’s health is still a question mark. Tommy Eichenberg would be a nice depth piece to add to the rotation. He was very productive in college, but isn’t a good enough athlete to be an every down player in the NFL. Unless one of the top three linebackers would get hurt, Eichenberg’s snaps would primarily come in run-stopping situations.
Other players considered: Ohio State S Josh Proctor, Baylor DT Gabe Hall, Penn State CB Kalen King
Round 6, Pick 195: S Trey Taylor, Air Force
At this point in the draft, teams are hoping to find depth pieces or developmental players. In the case of Trey Taylor, the Steelers would be adding some much-needed depth to their safety room. Behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott, Pittsburgh doesn’t have much at the position. Taylor played box safety, free safety, and some slot corner at Air Force. The positional versatility combined with strong athletic testing and a good football IQ give Taylor enough upside to justify selecting him in the sixth round. Drafting a safety rounds out this mock draft by filling all of the Steelers biggest needs.
Others players considered: Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson, Washington LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Pittsburgh CB M.J. Devonshire
Main Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
