The Pittsburgh Steelers are prepping for a big offseason of player acquisition to take the next step from playoff team to title contender, and they have a lot of holes to fill. Fortunately, the 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the best classes in recent memory, specifically at positions of need for Pittsburgh. The offensive line needs some new additions, and the defensive front could use some fortification with Cam Heyward aging and some 2023 contributors likely moving on this season (e.g. Larry Ogunjobi).

With that in mind, let’s go all 7-rounds in my first Steelers Mock Draft of the season. A few notes about this Mock:

1. This is not necessarily what I would do if I were the Steelers.
2. This is a projection of the direction I think the Steelers are leaning at this point in the process.

Let’s dive into it!

ROUND 1: 20TH OVERALL
OT AMARIUS MIMS, GEORGIA

Measurables: 6’7″, 340 lbs
The Fit: Day 1 starting Right Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers love affair with Georgia offensive players continues in this draft, and it’s not hard to see why. Able to instantly fill maybe the biggest need on the roster, Mims is an enormous, athletic tackle prospect that would be difficult to pass up if he’s still on the board at 20. Mims’ length and athleticism allow him to instantly control even the quickest and most powerful edge defenders. Despite having only 9 collegiate starts under his belt, Mims shows enough polish and elite traits to earn an easy first round grade.

ROUND 2: 51ST OVERALL
OC ZACH FRAZIER, WVU

Measurables: 6’2″, 305 lbs
The Fit: Day 1 starting Center

If Frazier lasts until pick 51, you’d have to think Pittsburgh sprints this card to the podium. It’s a match made in heaven between the former wresting champ and a Steelers OL needing an infusion of nastiness and athleticism up front. Frazier isn’t just a physical player in the middle. He’s a savvy, cerebral talent who has the potential to be a perennial Pro-Bowl player at the next level. If the Steelers could land both Mims and Frazier in the first two rounds of this Draft, it’s an automatic win for Omar Khan and co.

ROUND 3: 84TH OVERALL
IDL MAASON SMITH, LSU

Measurables: 6’4″, 300 lbs
The Fit: Position-flexible DT/NT in year 1

Maason Smith was widely considered a potential First Round talent just a year ago before a sub-par Junior year in 2023 doused his draft stock somewhat. Still an explosive, freaky athlete along the interior DL, Smith can play the 0-tech or slide out to the 3-tech with ease. The stats weren’t good in 2023, but teams will focus in on the traits for Smith, and in the end, it should make him an attractive late Day 2/early Day 3 option at DT.

ROUND 4: 120TH OVERALL
CB KHYREE JACKSON, OREGON

Measurables: 6’4″, 203 lbs
The Fit: Developmental long, press-man Corner

Another freaky athlete, Jackson is as physical as it gets on the outside in coverage, and he is not afraid to come crashing down in run support. At his size, his biggest weakness is his quickness and change-of-direction skills, but he has plenty of make-up speed on the back end to stay in the play if he gets beat early. If Jackson gets in your grill at the line of scrimmage, the rep is over. He’s not a Day 1 starter by any stretch, but he’s got high-end upside in the right system with the right coaching.

ROUND 4: 121ST OVERALL
QB JOE MILTON III, TENNESSEE

Measurables: 6’4″, 240 lbs
The Fit: Developmental “toolsy” QB with upside

This is the only QB I would draft outside of the Top 4 guys if I’m Pittsburgh, and I would actually make it a priority that Milton lands in Black and Gold. I might be in the minority of Steelers fans on this, but if for some reason JJ McCarthy is there at 20 in the First Round, I’m taking him. That’s not likely at this point, and in a class dominated by smaller QBs, Milton, quite literally, stands out. His incredible arm strength is well-documented, but Milton struggles mightily at this stage of his development with the minutia of the position. He’ll need a lot of patience and someone to groom his elite physical traits for the pros, but if it works out, Milton III could be the steal of the NFL Draft.

ROUND 6: 196TH OVERALL
WR MARCUS ROSEMY-JACKSAINT, GEORGIA

Measurables: 6’2″, 195 lbs
The Fit: Developmental big, physical outside Receiver

Another Georgia offensive player heads to Pittsburgh, and this one quite the sleeper at WR. MRJ is an elite athlete with strong hands and great ball skills, much like another UGA receiver already on the Steelers roster. While Rosemy-Jacksaint lacks polish as a route-runner and technician, he has a chance to be a solid vertical threat and 50/50 ball specialist early in his career while he works on the finer points of playing the position. Someone could easily fall in love with his skillset much earlier in the draft, but he’s enough of a developmental prospect to fit him in here.

ROUND 7: 237TH OVERALL
ILB MICHAEL BARRETT, MICHIGAN

Measurables: 6’0″, 239 lbs
The Fit: Developmental rangy coverage ILB

Barrett isn’t the most physically dominating player or the biggest hitter at ILB, but he plays with a lot of effort and he certainly has the athleticism to become a solid coverage linebacker at that next level. Overshadowed by his teammate, Junior Colson, Barrett was still a heavy contributor on a great Michigan defense in 2023. With some development and in the right role, Barrett could have a good NFL career.

Let me know your thoughts on my selections in the comment section. As we approach the 2024 NFL Draft, obviously many of these projections will change as player grades come into focus and rumors surrounding the team continue to formulate. Expect another Steelers 7-Round mock as we get closer to Draft Day!

Before the mock begins, preparing the Medals for the event in advance is a good idea. Players can be motivated by the Custom Medals, which are souvenirs worth collecting because each medal carries the sweat and hard work of the players! We can customize these medals with the Rounds of the mock, which can clearly record this time forever with these medals.