After crushing the 2024 NFL Draft on paper, we had high hopes for what the Steelers' rookie class would bring in their first season. Unfortunately, injuries decimated a promising group—forcing half the draft class into a redshirt year.
Just one game into the season, first-round offensive tackle Troy Fautanu suffered a knee injury at practice that officially ended his 2024 campaign before it ever took flight. Meanwhile, third-round wide receiver Roman Wilson logged just five snaps as a rookie while defensive lineman Logan Lee and safety Ryan Watts never saw the field due to injuries.
Still, the Steelers had a few outstanding rookie performances—none more notable than Zach Frazier.
The former West Virginia center became Pittsburgh's second-round pick last April and quickly proved to be the center of the future for the Steelers. Recently, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report conducted his 2024 first-round NFL re-draft. In this simulation, Davenport had Pittsburgh passing on Fautanu to take Frazier with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In an unsurprising move, Davenport has Fautanu falling out of the first round entirely after spending almost the entire 204 season on IR. In all honestly, Frazier would likely be Pittsburgh's first-round pick if they could do it over again. And the wrestling champ has already proven worthy of this selection.
Frazier's play was so promising as a rookie that he should have been highly considered for Pro Bowl honors and he was debatably one of the top five centers in the NFL during his rookie season.
Steelers' 2024 draft class already paying dividends (even with injuries)
It's hard to envision a scenario in which Zach Frazier takes a significant step back in his second season in 2025. The well-rounded center is already a sound technician who can get to the second level and he should only continue to get better.
But Frazier is hardly the only chip from the 2024 draft class to look forward to.
Third-round linebacker and former All-American Payton Wilson had a tremendously promising season in 2024. Despite working in a part-time rotational role as an off-ball linebacker, Wilson flashed outstanding closing speed, sound tackling ability, coverage chops, and splash-play ability. He has the makeup and tools to develop into one of the best linebackers in the league at this rate.
Meanwhile, rookie fourth-rounder Mason McCormick was thrust into action at right guard early in his rookie year because of season-ending injuries to James Daniels and Nate Herbig. Despite being a technically raw player from a small school at North Dakota State, the former Jackrabbit showcased an impressive blend of traits and anchoring strength that could make him the right guard of the future for the Steelers.
If all three of these players hit, everything they get from here will simply be a bonus. Fautanu could come back strong in his second season and take over at right tackle—allowing Broderick Jones to move back to his natural position in 2025.
Likewise, the return of Roman Wilson could give the Steelers a boost at wide receiver with added speed, burst, and reliable hands. Meanwhile, Lee will be competing for a roster spot this year and it's unclear if Watts will be able to return to the field after undergoing neck surgery.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had some terrible injury luck with this group, but the 2024 draft class still has tremendous promise and we could see some breakout campaigns in 2025.