When it comes to team needs, a lot can happen throughout the season. This includes surprise performances from younger players, let-down performances from "solidified" stars, and much more. These factors all play into the team's approach to next year's draft. With what we know now about the Steelers roster, I will be taking a look at 5 needs the Steelers should address in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The most glaring hole on the Steelers' roster is still the cornerback position. In the 2023 Draft, the Steelers added one of Pittsburgh's favorites, Joey Porter Jr. What Porter Jr. brings to the table is a press-man corner that fits exactly what Pittsburgh wants to run on defense.
They doubled down on press corners by selecting Cory Trice Jr. in the 7th Round. Even with these additions, the cornerback room still needs upgrading. This should be their number one priority going into the 2024 draft. A corner that the Steelers may look to add in next year's Draft is Kalen King out of Penn State. This would be the Steelers' second year in a row adding a Penn State corner.
The Steelers will have some pressing needs to address in 2024 NFL Draft
Wide receiver should be the second position group that the Steelers target, not far behind Cornerback. The Steelers' wide receiver room is headlined by Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, and Calvin Austin.
This is a very young wide receiver group with one veteran presence being Allen Robinson. The Steelers will need to continue to upgrade this room. Xavier Worthy and Emeka Egbuka are names to monitor going into the 2024 draft.
Although the Steelers upgraded at offensive tackle by selecting Broderick Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft, the tackle position is still a place of uncertainty for the future. The current starter at the right tackle position is Chukwuma Okorafor.
Okorafor posted a 61.2 PFF grade in the 2022 season, ranking 60th among tackles. This will certainly be an area that could use a significant upgrade in 2024. JC Latham and Zion Nelson are two names that could be on the Steelers' radar in 2024.
The edge position will become a need if Alex Highsmith decides to depart for a new team while seeking a bigger paycheck. Highsmith has blossomed into a bigger role as his career has progressed. T.J. Watt may need a new sidekick if Highsmith does depart. Some candidates for this role in the 2024 draft class are Chop Robinson, Maason Smith, and Bralen Trice.
Guard is another position that isn't set in stone. This offseason, the Steelers brought over Isaac Seumalo from the dominant offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a major upgrade at the Left Guard position. At right guard, 4 different players' contracts expire in the next 2 years.
James Daniels, Kevin Dotson, Nate Herbig, and Kendrick Green's contracts will expire in either 2024 or 2025. There should be a plan in place for the future and we may see this addressed in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cooper Bebe and Donovan Jackson are potential prospects to watch.