Steelers fans' worst fears come true in this nightmarish 4-round mock draft

Every fan dreams about the best possible outcomes for their team in the NFL Draft. We salivate over our favorite prospects the Pittsburgh Steelers could target each round and wait anxiously as they make their selection.

But we know from experience that things don't always go the way we hope in the NFL Draft.

Surprises are sure to happen, and some of our 'dream' picks for Pittsburgh will be off the board when they make their selection. What's worse is that all of their top targets in each round could fly off the shelf just before they make their selections.

To prepare you for this worst-case scenario on draft weekend, I outlined my worst-case scenario for Pittsburgh in this cringe-worthy 4-round Steelers mock draft.

Steelers mock draft Round 1: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Last year at this time, most Steelers fans would have been ecstatic about the opportunity to land Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first round... but that was before Pittsburgh drafted Joey Porter Jr. and McKinstry started sliding on draft boards.

The former five-star star recruit and No. 1 CB recruit in the nation had a respectable career at Alabama, but he was overshadowed by Terrion Arnold in 2023, and a foot injury didn't help his cause.

Though the Steelers traded for Donte Jackson, they have made it clear that cornerback is still a priority after spending pre-draft visits on players like Cooper DeJean and Nate Wiggins (both of whom are higher on my draft board).

However, we can't ignore the fact that Ike Taylor reported Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan had a dinner meeting with McKinstry when they were in town for Alabama's Pro Day. McKinstry is a second-round prospect, but taking him in Round 1 is not out of the question for the Steelers.

Steelers mock draft Round 2: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

I want the Pittsburgh Steelers to target a talented offensive tackle in a great OT class, but this isn't exactly what I had in mind. Roger Rosengarten was the right tackle at Washington but acted as the blindside protector for the left-handed QB Michael Penix Jr.

Rosengarten has flown up draft boards in recent weeks, and he could be on Pittsburgh's radar in Round 2. Mike Tomlin will love the fact that he logged nearly 2,000 snaps over the past two seasons and he's still just 21 years old.

There are some traits to work with, but Rosengarten's tape doesn't scream 'second-round pick' and his 33 1/2'' inch arms hardly meet the threshold many teams want in an offensive tackle. Pittsburgh may view him as a good scheme fit, but this feels like a reach at pick 51 in the second round.

Steelers mock draft Round 3: Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

I don't dislike Beaux Limmer, but I like him with respect to where I think he should go in the 2024 NFL Draft. Limmer is an athletic run-blocking center prospect who would be a good scheme fit in Arthur Smith's wide zone scheme, but he struggles in pass protection and needs to add more sand in his pants if he wants to hold up at the point of attack.

I like Limmer as a developmental prospect early on Day 3, so taking him with the first of Pittsburgh's two first-round picks seems far too rich for my blood. There are simply too many inconsistencies in his game, and these showed up during Senior Bowl week.

Still, the Steelers are desperate for center help, and if they miss out on the top three prospects, they could resort to taking a guy like Limmer (whom they formally met with at the NFL Combine). This just feels too early to draft him.

Steelers mock draft Round 3 (via PHI): Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

The Steelers haven't had a ton of success with lightweight defensive tackles with limited length, so why not try another one? Tyler Davis was known for his run defense at Clemson, but at 6'2'' on the dot and 301 lbs with a tiny 75'' wingspan, this doesn't resemble the type of player they have found success with over the years.

Davis is already a full-grown man who turns 24 years old during his rookie season, and his draft range is all over the map. With a small frame, his best attributes don't translate well at the next level, and he should fall somewhere in the middle of Day 3 of the draft. This would be a reach.

Steelers mock draft Round 4: Tahj Washington, WR, USC

This is a very talented wide receiver class, so it's very possible for the Steelers to get their fourth-round return on a player like Tahj Washington. However, there are other receiver prospects I am going to like better at this stage of the draft.

This selection would also add redundancy to the slot receiver position with Calvin Austin III and Quez Watkins already on the roster. Washington measured in at the Combine at just 5'9 3/4'' and 174 pounds with tiny 29 1/2'' arms and 8 3/8'' hands. He skipped drills in Indy but tested as just a 51st-percentile athlete during his Pro Day workout.

Regardless of his shortcomings, we can't ignore the signs that he's on the Steelers radar. Pittsburgh used a Top 30 visit to meet with Washington, and he could be a fallback plan if they don't address the wide receiver position early in the NFL Draft.