NFL Mock Draft 2024: Steelers Day 2 predictions

The Troy Fautanu pick in Round 1 caught Steelers fans by surprise. Most assumed they were going with Duke center Graham Barton after Georgia OT Amarius Mims was snatched up by the Bengals two picks before they were on the clock, but Fautanu is a player that many expected to be off the bard by pick 20.

While Fautanu's frame suggests that he has position flexibility across the offensive line, Mike Tomlin insist that the team views him as an offensive tackle. That means Pittsburgh still has a glaring need at center as well as pressing needs at positions like wide receiver and slot cornerback.

Round 1 is in the books and Day 2 of the draft will soon begin. Here are my second and third-round predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Steelers mock draft Round 2: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Gerry Dulac reported that the Steelers would have taken Graham Barton or Tyler Guyton at pick 20 if Troy Fautanu was off the board. Their strong interest in Barton proves that the Steelers are serious about fixing the center position.

Two of the top three centers remain: Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia's Zach Frazier. In order to get one, either Powers-Johnson or Frazier needs to slide 19 picks into the second round. The Steelers may not be content with trusting the chips to fall their way at pick 51, so they may be willing to part with some future capital to move up a few spots for whichever player falls.

There have been whispers that Powers-Johnson could fall due to medical concerns, but he's I have Pittsburgh winding up with Frazier in Round 2. The need at center is as clear as their interest in drafting one early.

Steelers mock draft Round 3: Jalen McMillan, Washington

Wide receivers are flying off the board early in the draft, so a player like Jalen McMillan isn't guanteed to be available to Pittsburgh with the 84th overall pick. However, this could come down to a preference of guys at the position, and he falls in this simulation.

McMillan isn't exactly what the Steelers are looking for to pair with George Pickens at wide receiver, but this is what happens when you don't take a receiver in the first two rounds. Still, the Washington product has the versitility to play out wide or in the slot. This would be a fine consolation prize in the middle of the third round.

Steelers mock draft Round 3 (via PHI): Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia

The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a slot cornerback, but unless they are willing to take a player like Mike Sainristil or Max Melton in Round 2, they may have to wait until their compensatory pick in the third round to grab one.

At this stage in the draft, there is no ture slot CB worth taking at the end of the third round. However, the positional need is big enough for the Steelers to find something that could work. Tykee Smith was a safety for Georgia, but he spent an overwhemling majority of his time on defense covering the slot. With 4.46 speed, Smth could be a nickel DB option for the Steelers thanks to his coverage chops and tackling ability.