Steelers Must Address Biggest Need in First Round

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to stick to a certain group of players at pick 20.

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- For the first time in the past several seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the NFL Draft with just a handful of positional needs to fill.

It's a new territory for the Steelers to be in, as they've been trying to solve most roster issues through the draft at the end of the Kevin Colbert era. With their quarterback, safety, and linebacker needs addressed via free agency, there are just three gaping holes that need improvement: offensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver.

The question many are asking is what positional need are the Steelers prioritizing on night one of the draft? The team's main goal is to improve so they won't pigeonhole themselves to one position. They likely have a player or two they are zeroing in on at this point, however. It isn't confirmed, but with the number of future starters available at pick number 20, it seems inevitable the Steelers will be selecting an offensive lineman first this year.

That's the way it should be, too. Sure, the Steelers need another offensive weapon, particularly a slot receiver. Luckily for them, the wide receiver position in the 2024 draft class is flooded with talent. Most mock drafts have three receivers going in the top 10, and even six or seven going in the first round all together. The Steelers are one of the best organizations at evaluating this position, leaving little doubt they can find a player in the second round or later.

Sure, they also need another cornerback to complement Joey Porter Jr. There are a few top-end options projected to go around the Steelers' pick, and if Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell are available at number 20, Pittsburgh will think long and hard about selecting them.

For now, they have newly acquired Donte Jackson eager to prove his worth and a safety duo that should be tops in the NFL. Add in veteran Damontae Kazee and a returning Corey Trice Jr, and there may be better options in-house to sustain the pass defense.

The same cannot be said for the offensive line. While they are returning four of five starters, the feeling is more work needs put into this group. With the organization hoping Jones transitions to the left side as originally intended and Dan Moore penciled in as the other starter, they need more depth to back them up.

Tackles are a hot commodity in this draft. Not only can the Steelers upgrade that position, they can find a long-term anchor on the right side. Options like Amarius Mims, Taliese Fuaga, Tyler Guyton, JC Latham, and Patrick Paul could potentially be available when the Steelers time on the clock arrives. Any of these players could push Dan Moore from day one of training camp and be a solution at the tackle position.

They are also without a starting center and have been since the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey. It's been more than a struggle to replace him. Mason Cole fared decently the past few seasons, but he was merely a stopgap.

With respect to presumptive starter Nate Herbig, they need an upgrade at that position more than any other one on offense. Herbig is a swing lineman and a crucial depth piece, but he cannot be the starter for a Super Bowl contender.

The upcoming draft has a select few centers or center-capable linemen who could start week one this season, and the Steelers have been linked to all of them in the draft process. Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson are two of the most intriguing names available, and neither may make it out of the first round.

Put it all together, and the Steelers' course of action feels obvious. They can give Russell Wilson more weapons or improve their secondary and it would make sense. But it wouldn't make as much sense as addressing their greatest need and selecting an offensive lineman in the first round.

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