Trending
The following is the fourth of seven Pittsburgh Steelers position analyses for the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday:
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Current roster: Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr., Dylan Cook, Kellen Diesch, Tyler Beach, Devery Hamilton, Anderson Hardy
Last five drafts: Jones (2023, first round) flashed his potential last season, albeit on the right side. Moore Jr. (2021, fourth round) has been the starting left tackle but could be in his final season with the Steelers. Derwin Gray (2019, seventh round) never made it in the NFL.
Top offensive tackles available: Joe Alt, Notre Dame; Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State; Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State; JC Latham, Alabama; Troy Fautanu, Washington; Amarius Mims, Georgia; Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Penn State/Pitt players: Fashanu is expected to be taken in the top 20 picks. Pitt's Matt Goncalves has been moving up draft boards and could be a third- or fourth-rounder. PSU's Caedan Wallace might be a fourth-round pick.
Possible Steelers picks: Fuaga, Latham, Fautanu, Mims or Guyton in the first round, possibly Blake Fisher, Notre Dame; Javon Foster, Missouri or Sataoa Laumea, Utah in the second or later rounds.
Analysis: Many mock drafts have the Steelers taking an offensive tackle in the first round just like they did last year with Jones. They could get a right tackle and move Jones back to left, replacing Moore Jr. They might not have to trade up to get a good one, since this year's draft has several first-round possibilities. They could even trade back and still get one with a first-round grade. The need at center, though, is greater than tackle, so what the Steelers do in the first round will definitely be affected by how many good tackles are still on the board at pick No. 20.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
Current roster: Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Nate Herbig, Spencer Anderson, Joey Fisher
Last five drafts: Anderson (2023, seventh round) showed versatility last training camp and might get a longer look this year. Kevin Dotson (2020, fourth round) did OK for the Steelers, but was dealt to the Rams last year and just recently signed a three-year, $48 million contract with them.
Top offensive guards available: Christian Haynes, UConn; Cooper Beebe, Kansas State; Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Penn State/Pitt players: Pitt's Jake Kradel is not expected to be drafted.
Possible Steelers picks: Probably none
Analysis: The Steelers should be OK for 2024 at guard with Seumalo, Daniels and Herbig. Anderson could also be in the mix. The needs are greater at center and tackle.
CENTERS
Current roster: Ryan McCollum
Last five drafts: Kendrick Green (2021, third round) played center as a rookie but then didn't play in 2022 and was traded last year to the Texans, where he started at guard before getting injured.
Top centers available: Graham Barton, Duke; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon; Zach Frazier, West Virginia; Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
Penn State/Pitt players: It looks like PSU's Hunter Nourzad could be a third-day pick.
Possible Steelers picks: Barton, Powers-Johnson, Frazier, Van Pran
Analysis: The Steelers need a center more than anything, and Barton or Powers-Johnson appear to be two that would be worth taking with the No. 20 pick. Barton can play tackle and guard, too, but would be an ideal center for the Steelers. Powers-Johnson would be a safer pick. If the Steelers are just as high on Frazier, they might be able to get him with their second-round pick (No. 51). Van Pran would be more of a third-rounder. Whatever the case, the Steelers need one of them.
Coming Monday: Defensive linemen
-- Buck Frank