Steelers 2024 Mock Draft: Pittsburgh finds insane value that rivals their 2023 class

With free agency inching closer, there will be tons of rumors and news flooding your timelines. The Steelers have a lot of work to do not only regarding their cap situation, but also trying to find ways of adding quality players to their roster. Free agency is up first and if Omar Khan implements a plan similar to last offseason, the Steelers won't enter the draft with many pressing needs.

The black and gold were able to add potential starters in free agency last offseason and that made them flexible during the draft. Pittsburgh would love to implement a plan like that again to take the pressure off the incoming rookie class. This mock draft was able to get quality value at different positions of need that have holes before free agency.

Steelers mock draft round 1: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

A player that the club will fall in love with during the pre-draft process will be Cooper DeJean. He is coming off of a season-ending injury, so his medical situation will need to be clean. If that checks out, then DeJean will be a slam-dunk first-round pick. Mike Tomlin will be someone who likes DeJean throughout the pre-draft process.

Expect the black and gold to show up to the Iowa Pro Day and take this cornerback out for dinner. Those are two key things that have to happen when the Steelers consider a player with their top pick in the draft. This prospect is a quality player and the fact that he fell to pick 20 was shocking. He should be able to slide into a starting secondary spot on day one.

Many expect DeJean to slide into corner at the next level, but he could honestly play safety or a couple of different roles in the secondary. The Steelers will have options if they make this pick a reality. Allowing DeJean to be the starter opposite of Joey Porter Jr. would be the most likely scenario, but he would provide the coaches with different options.