2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Who will the Pittsburgh Steelers take at No. 20 overall?
The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly here. Next week, hundreds of former college players will hear their names called as they move on to the professional level. For the 32 teams across the NFL, it's one of the best ways to address needs, build for the future or help with a transition.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams in transition. After going 10-7 during the regular season and losing 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, Pittsburgh agreed to sign former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson on March 10. Five days later, the Steelers traded starting quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles before trading for former Chicago Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields.
It's been an unusually busy offseason this year in Pittsburgh. In addition to the turnover at quarterback, the Steelers signed linebacker Patrick Queen away from division foe Baltimore and traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to Carolina for cornerback Donte Jackson.
Now that the dust's settled in free agency, what should the team do in the draft? Pittsburgh currently holds the No. 20 overall pick. Here's what experts from USA Today, ESPN, NFL.com, The Ringer and The Athletic predict the Steelers will do:
Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft roundup
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Omar Khan made a decidedly un-Steeler-like maneuver to shake up the quarterback room with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Now, it's back to business with Latham, a jolting right tackle who fits Pittsburgh's offensive identity and would allow 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones to shift back to the left side."
Field Yates, ESPN: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Yates: "Although wide receiver was a thought here after the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh's history of finding talented wideouts beyond the first round and the position's depth in this class made me go another direction. Barton is among the most versatile linemen available, having played left tackle his final three seasons at Duke after playing center as a true freshman."
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Schrager: "I'm still keeping an eye on Steelers GM Omar Khan to make a splash at wide receiver this offseason. Could that be a trade for Brandon Aiyuk? If not, Thomas is a special talent who helped himself at the combine as much as any player at the position."
Danny Heifetz, The Ringer: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Heifetz: "The Steelers could try Barton at right tackle, which would allow last year’s first-rounder Broderick Jones to move to the left side, where Dan Moore Jr. has been playing. But Barton is versatile enough to compete for right guard too—and maybe even fill the Steelers’ glaring hole at center if they don’t think Barton’s 6-foot-5 frame is too tall to anchor the interior. But the Steelers might be thrilled to get a guy like Barton whose main question is not whether he can play but where."
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Baumgardner: "This would be terrific value for Pittsburgh, although the range on Latham will be interesting. The 342-pound, 21-year-old prospect has mountains of potential as a run-blocking tackle or guard. He still some pass-pro consistency issues to iron out, though."
2024 NFL Draft odds: Pittsburgh Steelers
According to latest NFL Draft odds from BetMGM, the Pittsburgh Steelers are favored to take an offensive lineman. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024.
Offensive lineman (-375) is the heavy favorite for the Steelers. Behind that, oddsmakers point to wide receiver (+500) and cornerback (+650) as the other most likely scenarios.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: April 25-27, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch the NFL Draft this year with a subscription to fuboTV
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pittsburgh Steelers mock drafts: Picks, predictions for 2024 NFL Draft
