Heading into a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff hopes for this season are still very much alive as multiple scenarios could land the Steelers in the playoffs.
Regardless of whether or not Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, this is still a team that needs to make improvements in order to become Super Bowl contenders.
The biggest story of the offseason for the Steelers will be if Kenny Pickett gets a third year as a starter or if they move on. With the Steelers currently holding the 18th overall pick, it currently looks unlikely that the Steelers will find their next quarterback in the draft.
With that said the Steelers look to fill other needs at premium positions like offensive tackle and cornerback in these 2024 NFL mock drafts.
Pittsburgh used their first two draft selections on these positions in last year's draft as Joey Porter Jr. and Broderick Jones have had good rookie campaigns. Regardless, left tackle and more depth at cornerback remain needs for the Steelers.
Steelers mock draft roundup: Experts are currently between two position groups with their first-round pick
Pro Football Network, Will Helms: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Pro Football Network's Will Helms' Wednesday 2024 NFL mock draft had the Steelers addressing cornerback. Terrion Arnold was one of the top corners in college football this season. Arnold projects well as both a slot or boundary cornerback at the next level. He has the skill set to play close to the line of scrimmage with his tackling and instincts against the run. Arnold has also displayed very good cover ability and ball skills in his time at Alabama as he recorded five interceptions and 13 pass breakups this season.
CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Kalen King's draft stock has taken a bit of a hit this season as he was once looked at by analysts as a potential top 10 pick, however, the Penn State corner still warrants a top 20 pick as projected CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso's mock draft. King projects well to play both man and zone coverage in the NFL as his change of direction ability, foot speed, and quickness allow him to mirror receivers downfield in man coverage and his awareness and closing speed allow him to play as a deep third or hook zone defender.
Yahoo Sports, Glynn Morgan: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Taliese Fuaga is someone who jumps off the screen even as an offensive lineman. Fuaga comes off the board 18th overall in Glynn Morgan of Yahoo Sports' mock draft as his athleticism and movement ability allow him to mirror edge rushers in pass protection as well as make high-difficulty second-level or in-space blocks that most offensive tackles can't make in the run game. He's also very good at taking good angles on his run blocks at the line of scrimmage and in space which allows him to be effective at moving defenders on those blocks.
Sports Illustrated, Luke Easterling: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
It's easy to see why Amarius Mims was one of the highest-rated recruits in his high school class as his movement ability at 6-foot-7, 340 pounds is rare. Mims is unproven compared to the other first-round offensive tackles in this draft class as an injury limited him to just seven games this season but his ceiling is amongst the highest of any player in this draft class. Drafting Mims as Luke Easterling of Sports Illustrated projects in his latest mock draft would also reunite Broderick Jones with his former Georgia teammate and give the Steelers a bright future at offensive tackle.