The Pittsburgh Steelers are always one of the most interesting teams in the NFL Draft, and the latest batch of draft grades reflect that. After a few years of mixed returns, Pittsburgh entered the three-day event needing to quickly rebuild the roster to keep Mike Tomlin’s winning streak alive. Now that the picks have been made, did the Steelers do enough to right the ship?
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Back to the Playoffs?
First Round (20th Overall): Troy Fautanu, OT
Rather than getting impatient and trading up, the Pittsburgh Steelers held their ground and acquired a player who should lock down a starting tackle position for years to come. Troy Fautanu doesn’t have the same upside as a guy like Joe Alt, but he’s well worth the 20th overall selection. While there is a chance that his third-percentile height could force him to play guard long-term, he’ll be a great starter for a team that currently features two quarterbacks who love holding onto the ball.
Steelers Draft Grade: B+
Troy Fautanu NFL Draft Profile
Second Round (51st Overall): Zach Frazier, C
The Steelers continue to add some much-needed reinforcements to their offensive line. Zach Frazier might not have the highest ceiling, but you don’t need an elite center to have a great offense. You just need someone who can hold their own at the point of attack, and Frazier can do that. While his athleticism won’t blow anyone away, he’s immovable in the trenches and should provide a reliable pocket for Russell Wilson.
Steelers Draft Grade: B+
Zach Frazier NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (84th Overall): Roman Wilson, WR
Nobody is better at finding starting-caliber wide receivers than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roman Wilson adds a much-needed deep presence to this offense and his ability to get open deep is a perfect match for Russell Wilson’s preferred style of play. George Pickens will still be the primary threat in this offense, but Wilson will make the most of his targets.
Steelers Draft Grade: A-
Roman Wilson NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (98th Overall): Payton Wilson, LB
Payton Wilson played linebacker in college, but his athletic profile suggests he’s a better fit for a safety/linebacker hybrid role at the next level. The NC State product possesses great athleticism but lacks the size to survive as a full-time box defender with linebacker responsibilities. He can be a productive player in the right role, but only time will tell how Pittsburgh utilizes him.
Steelers Draft Grade: B-
Payton Wilson NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (119th Overall): Mason McCormick, G
In case you’re noticing a trend, the Steelers offensive line was an issue last year. While the South Dakota State product could fight for a starting job, he’ll need to improve on his subpar mechanics if he ever wants to be anything more than a replacement-level player. Still, you could do worse than an experienced backup and team captain with decent long-term upside.
Steelers Draft Grade: C+
Mason McCormick NFL Draft Profile
Sixth Round (178th Overall): Logan Lee, DT
As you’d expect from most sixth-round prospects, Logan Lee doesn’t project to be anything more than a role player at the next level. He’s a little too small to play the run and not quite athletic enough to get after the quarterback. If he makes the roster, he’ll probably be the 53rd man on the squad.
Steelers Draft Grade: C
Sixth Round (195th Overall): Ryan Watts, CB
Ryan Watts is a reclamation project who lacks the athleticism to play cornerback at the professional level. What he can do, however, is transition to safety. While he’ll need to learn the position from the ground up, he has the build and attitude to handle the job. Perhaps a year or two on the practice squad can bring out the best in the Texas product.
Steelers Draft Grade; C-
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
