The 2024 NFL Draft, hosted in Detroit, begins on April 25. The Pittsburgh Steelers, amidst a period of change, aim to cap off their solid offseason on a high note starting with their No. 20 overall selection.
In preparation for the three-day event, here are the answers to some of the biggest draft-related questions pertaining to the Steelers.
What venue will the draft be held at, and who will televise the event?
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in the heart of downtown Detroit, surrounding Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. ABC, ESPN and NFL Network will televise the draft, which can be streamed on platforms such as NFL+, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Fans can also catch Bill Belichick in his first post-NFL gig during Thursday’s first round on ESPN+ and YouTube, as the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach will co-host “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular.”
The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft starts on April 25 at 8 p.m. E T. Rounds 2 and 3 begin on April 26 at 7 p.m. E T, while rounds four through seven will be held on April 27 at noon E T.
How has the Steelers’ offseason unfolded so far?
After getting blown out by Buffalo in their return to the postseason, the Steelers shook up their quarterback room this offseason without spending much. Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson to a one-year, veteran minimum deal following his disastrous Broncos tenure, traded 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia and acquired Justin Fields in a trade with Chicago. Additionally, the Steelers brought in another big piece for their defense, inking former division rival LB Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41,M contract.
How many picks do the Steelers have?
Due to previous trades, the Steelers own seven selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, including four top-100 picks. Here is a full list of Pittsburgh’s draft picks:
Round 1: No. 20 overall
Round 2: No. 51
Round 3: Nos. 84 and 98
Round 4: No. 119
Round 6: Nos. 178 and 195
What are the Steelers’ biggest positional needs entering the draft?
Offensive line, cornerback and wide receiver.
Pittsburgh is in the process of revamping its offensive line, having released former starters Mason Cole and Chukwuma Okorafor earlier this offseason. The Steelers will almost surely replace at least one of the two early in the draft, though adding a No. 2 cornerback will also be a top priority. It’d also be beneficial for Pittsburgh to draft a wideout, considering it traded Diontae Johnson to Carolina last month, but the team might be better off addressing that need on Day 2.
Who could the Steelers target in the first round?
Duke OL Graham Barton: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the O-line is the odds-on favorite to be the position group the Steelers will spend their first pick on (-320), and Barton will likely be the best lineman available at pick 20. A starter at left tackle for the last three seasons, many scouts and analysts expect Barton to transition to center, a position he spent time at as a freshman. Since 2022, the versatile Barton has allowed just four sacks and 21 total pressures.
Clemson CB Nate Wiggins: Despite being an inconsistent tackler, the 6-foot-1, 173-pounder has the ideal frame and ball skills to develop into a lockdown corner in the NFL. Wiggins, who ran the second-fastest 40 yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.28 seconds), collected 25 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and nine pass breakups for Clemson last season. The 20-year-old would be a perfect candidate to pair with the 2023 second-rounder and fellow lengthy cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Which prospects could be in play for the Steelers later in the draft?
Florida WR Ricky Pearsall: A crafty route runner with exceptional hands, Pearsall could be the best replacement for Johnson and sidekick for budding star George Pickens. After leading Arizona State in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2021, Pearsall transferred to Florida, where he continued to excel. Over his two seasons with the Gators, Pearsall reeled in 98 passes for 1,626 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pittsburgh OT Matthew Goncalves: A projected third-round pick, Goncalves would make for an interesting developmental project for the Steelers. The former Panther played at both tackle spots and left guard during his four-year college career, giving up just three sacks in that time, all of which came in 2021. A toe injury limited Goncalves to just three games last season, but his performance at Pitt’s Pro Day cleared up some concerns.
Leave a Reply