2024 Steelers Mock Draft
by Bo Marchionte
Published March 14, 2024, 11:49EDT
Omar Kuhn entered his second season with full authority over the roster and along with head coach Mike Tomlin have done an incredible job of adding key pieces to both the offense and defense in free agency.
The first domino to drop the acquisition of Super Bowl winning quarterback and former Bronco Russell Wilson. The second domino was bringing in former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen from Baltimore.
Kuhn didn’t stop the overhaul there and sent receiver Diontae Johnson and the 240th pick overall in the upcoming draft to Carolina in exchange for then Panthers defensive back Donte Jackson and the 178th pick in this year’s draft.
This is what I was hoping for a personality that would engage in significant transactions that distinctly excite the fan base and create a roster that looks more like a winning roster than mediocre one.
| Steelers Selections by School/Round (Last 5 years) | |||||||
| School/Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Pittsburgh | X | ||||||
| Georgia | X | X | X | ||||
| Alabama | X | X | |||||
| Michigan | X | X | |||||
| Penn State | X X | ||||||
| Wisconsin | X | X | X | ||||
| Notre Dame | X | ||||||
| Texas A&M | X | X X | |||||
| Illinois | X | ||||||
| Charlotte | X | ||||||
| Toledo | X | ||||||
| Michigan St. | X | X | |||||
| Memphis | X | ||||||
| Maryland | X | X | X X | ||||
| Louisiana-Lafayette | X | ||||||
| Kentucky | X | ||||||
| Miami (FL) | X | ||||||
| Northern Illinois | X | ||||||
| Akron | X | ||||||
| Purdue | X | ||||||
| Mississippi | X | ||||||
| South Dakota St. | X | ||||||
| Oklahoma | X | ||||||
| Georgia Tech | X | ||||||
| Nebraska | X | ||||||
The soon to be defunct Pac-12 saw no Steelers being selected out of their conference in the last five years. In fact, the last time Pittsburgh drafted a player out of the Pac-12 was in 2017 when they took JuJu Smith-Schuster and Brian Allen. It will be interesting to see if that changes once USC enters Big-10 play. The Big-12 had one, while the Big-10 reigned supreme on filling the Steelers roster via the NFL Draft with 16 selections. The Pac-12 reigns supreme in 2024 with the Steelers first selection.
| Steelers Selections by Conferences (Last 5 Years) | ||||||||
| Conf/RDs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Total |
| SEC | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| Big-10 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| Big -12 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| ACC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||
| MAC | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| MVFC | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Sun Belt | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| CUSA | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| AAC | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Independent | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Background Check: 1st Round Last 6 NFL Drafts
2023 | Broderick Jones | OT | Georgia | 14th
2022 | Kenny Pickett |QB | Pittsburgh | 20th
2021 | Najee Harris | RB | Alabama | 24th
2020 | No Pick
2019 | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan | 10th
Pick Is In (20th overall)
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia, Jr
The Steelers drafted another Bulldog out of Georgia when they moved up to select Broderick Jones. Mims spent his time at Georgia playing right tackle and with GM Omar Kuhn saying, “he was drafted to be a left tackle and, eventually, he will be a left tackle,” regarding Jones means the selection of Mims provides the Steelers dominant and youthful bookends to the offensive line.
Background Check: 2nd Round Last 5 NFL Drafts
2023 | Joey Porter Jr. | DB | Penn State | 32nd
2023 | Keeanu Benton | DL | Wisconsin | 49th
2022 | George Pickens | WR | Georgia | 52nd
2021 | Pet Freiermuth | TE | Penn State | 55th
2020 | Chase Claypool | WR | Notre Dame | 49th
2019 | No Pick
Pick Is In (51st overall)
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington, rJr
Since 2020 the Steelers have selected a receiver in the second round twice, first with Chase Claypool then with George Pickens in 2023. The recent trade of wideout Diontae Johnson leaves the Steelers looking to acquire another potential homerun selection at the position they draft very well. Pittsburgh took Claypool at 49th overall and Pickens with 52nd pick, so that leaves this 51st selection going receiver. Polk ran a 4.52 forty at the NFL Combine which doesn’t categorize him as a burner, but his real value is strong hands making the catches that often slipped through the hands of the man he’s being drafted to replace Diontae Johnson.
Background Check: 3rd Round Last 5 NFL Drafts
2023 | Darnell Washington | TE | Georgia | 93rd
2022 | DeMarvin Leal | DL | Texas A&M | 84th
2021 | Kendrick Green | OL | Illinois | 87th
2020 | Alex Highsmith | LB | Charlotte | 102nd
2019 | Diontae Johnson | WR | Toledo | 66th
2019 | Justin Layne | DB | Michigan State | 83rd
Pick Is In
T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas, Sr
In 2001 the Steelers drafted a massive sized (6’1”/325lb.)defensive lineman out of Texas named Casey Hampton who would win two Super Bowls with the franchise in conjunction to his five Pro Bowl nominations. Sweat also played his college football at Texas and is bigger than Hampton at 6’4” and 362 pounds. A gap plugging monster would be fun to watch get double-teamed while the Steelers outside linebackers wreak havoc.
Background Check: 4th Round Last 5 Drafts
2023 | Nick Herbig | LB | Wisconsin | 132nd
2022 | Calvin Austin | WR | Memphis | 138th
2021 | Dan Moore Jr. | OT | Texas A&M | 128th
2021 | Buddy Johnson | LB | Texas A&M | 140th
2020 | Anthony McFarland | RB | Maryland | 124th
2020 | Kevin Dotson | OL | Louisiana-Lafayette |135th
2019 | Benny Snell | RB | Kentucky | 122nd
Pick Is In (119th overall via LAR)
Nick Samac, C, Michigan State, rSr
Day three of the NFL Draft the Steelers are hoping to find talented players that their coaches can develop into a higher quality prospect down the road. GM Omar Kuhn told local media in a private meeting at the NFL Combine, “right now we got Nate Herbig,” he said in terms of what the current roster has at the center position and added, “we got guys on the roster that are center capable.” Samac was a five-year letterwinner at Michigan State playing in 49 games and 32 at center. He adds depth at both center and guard if needed. Previously had Michigan Wolverines center Drake Nugent slated for this pick who is also very talented.
Background Check: 5th Round Last 5 Drafts
2023 | No Pick |
2022 | No Pick |
2021 | Isaiahh Loudermilk | DL | Wisconsin | 156th
2020 | No Pick |
2019 |Zach Gentry | TE | Michigan | 141st
Pick Is In (120th overall)
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina, Sr
The Steelers prefer three quarterbacks on the roster and with just Russell Wilson and incumbent Kenny Pickett under center leaves the opportunity for Pittsburgh to grab Rattler who doesn’t possess the height weight measurements to awe anyone, but he is accurate and poised under pressure. Like Mason Rudolph whom they drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft is a prospect to stash on the bench and develop if needed.
Background Check: 6th Round Last 5 Drafts
2023 | No Pick |
2022 | Connor Heyward | TE | Michigan State | 208th
2021 | Quincy Roche | LB | Miami (FL) | 216th
2020 | Antoine Brooks | DB | Maryland | 198th
2019 | Sutton Smith | LB | Northern Illinois | 175th
2019 | Isaiah Buggs | DT | Alabama | 192nd
2019 | Ulysees Gilbert | LB Akron | 207th
Pick Is In (178th overall via Cardinals via Panthers)
Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU, Sr
This pick is based on merit but nonetheless the Steelers are known for using the family ties and connections to help gauge the room on prospects. In Mobile, Alabama watching the Reese’s Senior Bowl practices Mike Tomlin shook the hand of Coleman after some one-on-one drills. It peaked my interest and then had the opportunity to ask Coleman about the handshake from Coach T. “Awe man, that was just about him and my dad,” Coleman said of the friendly gesture. “They go way back and knew each other from high school.” Coleman Weighed in at the NFL Combine at 313 pounds and ran an impressive 4.99.
Background Check: 6th Round Last 5 Drafts
2023 | No Pick |
2022 | Connor Heyward | TE | Michigan State | 208th
2021 | Quincy Roche | LB | Miami (FL) | 216th
2020 | Antoine Brooks | DB | Maryland | 198th
2019 | Sutton Smith | LB | Northern Illinois | 175th
2019 | Isaiah Buggs | DT | Alabama | 192nd
2019 | Ulysees Gilbert | LB Akron | 207th
Pick Is In (195th overall)
Sione Vaki, S, Utah, Soph
In a nutshell Vaki is one of the most versatile players available in the draft. A guy who can play both sides of the football has athleticism to be that ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of the Steelers roster. “They are going to see my versatility on offensive reps as well,” Vaki said at the Senior Bowl in what NFL scouts are going to see first and foremost. “I can play both sides of the ball, the film doesn’t lie. I’m relentless and I don’t quit on the ball.”
