Dream targets who can be erased from Steelers draftboard in 2024

Every football fan dreams of landing the perfect prospect in the first round of the NFL Draft. For some teams picking near the top, this is attainable. This isn't the case for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Because they keep finding a way to keep their non-losing streak alive, the Steelers are constantly picking in the back half of the draft. The trade-off to staying competitive is that there will be fan-favorite prospects who are always out of reach in the draft.

This year, there are four dream targets the Steelers would love to add to their roster, but Pittsburgh might as well cross them off their board right now. Based on current projections from NFL Mock Draft Database less than a week until the draft, these players won't be available when the Steelers are on the clock in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

We knew early in the process that landing a player like Joe Alt was a pipe dream. That didn't stop us from imagining what the Steelers' offense would be like if he was added to the roster. The Notre Dame left tackle was the consensus top offensive lineman in the nation and is a lock top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.

At 6'8 8/5'' and 321 pounds, Alt has a massive frame, but quick feet to mirror pass rushers with ease. Even though he projects as a long-time starter at left tackle, fans would have been fine with keeping Broderick Jones at right tackle if it meant nabbing one of the best players in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Steelers fans quickly fell in love with Quinyon Mitchell after his dominant showing in Mobile for Senior Bowl week. Despite being a small-school product for Toledo, Mitchell showcased his man-coverage abilities when he locked down some of the best receivers in the nation in one-on-one drills.

Mitchell has elite 4.33 speed to go with his 6'0 1/8'', 195-pound frame, and his ball skills are unmatched in this draft class. He would have made a dangerous pairing with Joey Porter Jr., but he will be off the board before the Steelers are on the clock.

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Apart from Arthur Smith's interaction with Brock Bowers at Georgia's Pro Day, the Steelers haven't expressed much interest in the generational tight end prospect. This may have something to do with the depth at the position and the fact that he won't be available when Pittsburgh is on the clock.

Bowers is one of the best tight ends I've ever graded, and the Steelers would love to have a weapon they could force-feed underneath who can make things happen after the catch. Pittsburgh won't be willing to trade up for Bowers, who doesn't come at a 'money' position or a positional need, so they might as well cross him off their draft board right now.

Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

With Pittsburgh's need for a right tackle that would allow Broderick Jones to slide back over to his more natural position on the left side, Taliese Fuaga seemed like a perfect fit. The Oregon State tackle is a mauler in the running game and is surprisingly light on his feet for being 6'5 3/4'' and 324 pounds.

After a spectacular showing during Senior Bowl week, landing Fuaga seemed like a long shot. He further increased his draft stock when he showed impressive movement skills at the NFL Combine. The Pittsburgh Steelers used a pre-draft visit to meet with the impressive OT prospect, but that doesn't mean Fuaga is falling to pick 20.