NFL Mock Draft Roundup: A new OT emerges as the frontrunner for Steelers

The 2024 NFL Draft is just weeks away, and we have been gathering new information throughout the pre-draft process. The needs of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been easy to figure out since the season ended, but following their moves in free agency, it's become increasingly clear where they will attempt to go early in the draft.

While the Steelers currently don't have a true center on their roster capable of stepping into a starting role, their Pro Day visits and pre-draft meetings suggest that offensive tackle is higher on their radar.

During March, Amaris Mims was a hot-button topic among Steelers fans, and he will be high on Pittsburgh's radar in the first round. However, a new offensive tackle has emerged as a frontrunner in the latest Steelers mock draft roundup:

Steelers mock draft roundup: Pittsburgh eyes as new OT

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The safest bet is to slot Amarius Mims to the Steelers at pick 20, but that's not what draft experts have been doing early in April. Taliese Fuaga is a name that appears to be slipping a bit in recent mocks, and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has Omar Khan picking up the pieces. Two full years of starting experience and great tape at Oregon State make him a safer prospect than Mims, and Zierlein has Pittsburgh passing on the Georgia product to take Fuaga in his latest mock draft.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Fuaga isn't the only new offensive tackle being linked to the Steelers. In his latest 2024 mock draft, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has Pittsburgh going with Washington standout, Troy Fautanu. Pittsburgh hasn't expressed much interest in Fautanu throughout the pre-draft process. Though his athletic traits make him a good scheme fit in Arthur Smith's offense, the Steelers are eyeing a right tackle who would allow Broderick Jones to kick back over to left tackle in 2024.

Tony Pauline, Sportskeeda: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Steelers haven't expressed as much interest in Jackson Powers-Johnson as fans would have hoped. There is still time for JPJ to be brought in for a Top 30 pre-draft visit. Without Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan at his Oregon Pro Day, Powers-Johnson needs to earn the pre-draft visit to be firmly on their radar at pick 20 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Lance Zierlein isn't the only draft analyst drawing connections between the Steelers and Taliese Fuaga. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports is joining the party. Pittsburgh's recent pre-draft visit with Fuaga is a clear sign that he will warrant consideration if he's still on the board at pick 20.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Shockingly, the latest NFL mock draft roundup has just one vote cast for Amarius Mims to the Steelers. Mims is the easy choice as Pittsburgh's brass has met with him three times this offseason (NFL Combine, Georgia's Pro Day, and a Top 30 visit).

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Kingsley Suamataia is drawing some buzz as of late, as his brute strength is finally being recognized. However, some project the BYU product as a guard at the next level due to his sluggish and sloppy feet. He's a polarizing prospect, but the Steelers have not expressed much interest in Suamataia throughout the pre-draft process.