The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2024 NFL Draft with several holes on their roster to fill. With their first pick, the 20th overall selection, there are four positions they are most likely to target: offensive tackle, center, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Starting with offensive tackle, this is a very deep draft class. Some players could be available for the Steelers who, in other years, wouldn’t fall out of the top 15. Here are some realistic offensive tackle options for the Steelers with their first draft pick.
Steelers First-Round Draft Targets: Offensive Tackle
Amarius Mims – Georgia
Amarius Mims to the Steelers has been gaining a lot of steam. For starters, the Steelers sent anyone of importance to Georgia’s Pro Day; general manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and more were in attendance. Granted, Mims is far from the only Georgia player teams wanted to scout. The connections don’t stop there, though. The Steelers met with Mims at the NFL Combine and also hosted him for a pre-draft visit. Pittsburgh is clearly interested in the promising offensive tackle.
In Mims, the Steelers would be getting an inexperienced player with potential through the roof. He only started eight games in college but was dominant in pass protection when he was on the field. As a run blocker, Mims still has plenty of room for improvement. Still needing to develop as a player, Mims would not be a day-one starter for Pittsburgh. But if the Steelers draft Mims and pair him with Broderick Jones, they have a chance to be set at tackle for the next decade.
Amarius Mims Career Stats at Georgia:
🐶 402 Pass Block Snaps
🐶 Zero Sacks Allowed
🐶 Zero QB Hits Allowed
🐶 6 Pressures Allowed pic.twitter.com/qknV75XLtK— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 19, 2024
Troy Fautanu – Washington
While a different kind of prospect from Mims, Fautanu is still an interesting prospect whom the Steelers could certainly draft. He isn’t nearly as big as Mims; there is potential for him to move to guard in the NFL due to being slightly undersized. What Fautanu lacks in size he more than makes up for with athleticism, though. He put on a great performance at the combine and is very quick in space. Another potential knock on Fautanu is that he’s a bit older than other prospects; he will turn 24 early in his rookie season.
Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer attended Washington’s pro day. Further, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Fautanu met with the Steelers prior to his workout. Fautanu is more pro-ready than Mims and could probably be the Steelers’ Week 1 starting left tackle. Unlike Mims, though, Fautanu only has experience at left tackle. Omar Khan has reiterated the team wants Broderick Jones to move back to the left side at some point in the future, so drafting Fautanu would conflict with that desire.
Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma
Between all three of these players, Guyton is the most likely to still be available for the Steelers to draft in the first round. He is a strong pass protector but will need to improve in the run game. At 6’8″, Guyton has a great frame, but he will need to add some size and strength to excel in the NFL. Pittsburgh only had a scouting assistant present at Oklahoma’s pro day, a sign they may not be as interested in Guyton as some of these other prospects. Mike Tomlin worked closely with Guyton at the Senior Bowl, though, so there is still a connection. If there’s a run on offensive tackles early, the Steelers could certainly draft Guyton if they are set on selecting a tackle.
Unlikely to be Available
The three prospects highlighted above are realistic options with a good chance of being available for the Steelers to draft. Two other players, JC Latham from Alabama and Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State would be slam dunk picks at 20 but are unlikely to fall that far. Both players are pro-ready right tackles. Latham especially would be ready to start Week 1 and form an explosive, young duo with Broderick Jones. If either of these players are available at 20, the Steelers draft would be off to a great start.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
