Way-too-early Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be stuck in mediocrity after failing to win a playoff game for the seventh straight season in 2023. The Steelers also seem prepared to run it back with QB Kenny Pickett, making it even more important for them to have another strong rookie class from the 2024 NFL Draft if they hope to end their playoff win drought next season.

2023 record: 10-7 | First-round pick: No. 20 | Team needs: OL, CB

Potential first-round picks: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia; Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toldeo

Pittsburgh can shore up its trenches in a draft rich with offensive line talent. The team needs to address offensive tackle and center after left tackle Dan Moore Jr. allowed eight sacks in 2023 and center Mason Cole was released in February. However, which position should have priority?

It may depend on how the draft plays out, but many would argue that offensive tackle is more valuable than center. That might favor the Steelers selecting Mims with their first-round pick. 

The massive 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle has primarily played right tackle, which would allow Broderick Jones (the team's first-rounder from a year ago) to move back to his primary position of left tackle. Mims allowed just five pressures with zero sacks in 365 total pass block snaps during his time at Georgia, per CBS Sports.

If Pittsburgh feels as though the offensive tackle class is deeper than the center class, though, the franchises could have eyes on Powers-Johnson at pick No. 20. The Oregon product allowed zero sacks last season and has drawn comparisons to former Steelers All-Pro offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro.

There is also a scenario in which Pittsburgh can address its offensive line in free agency, which begins next week. If that's the case, the Steelers could go defense on Day 1 next month. The team seems to have hit a home run with CB Joey Porter Jr. – the No. 32 overall pick in 2023 – but needs to find another corner to pair with him in the secondary.

Mitchell, who has been rising up draft boards thanks to his strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and Reese's Senior Bowl, could be the answer if he is still available. From 2022-23, Mitchell forced more incompletions than any other FBS cornerback while also posting 83 tackles, six interceptions and two touchdowns.