Steelers Final 2024 Mock Draft: Pittsburgh gets creative with trades

It is finally draft week as we have been on a long and bumpy road since the offseason has kicked off. The Steelers are a new team after they reconstructed some main position groups during free agency and through different trades. Omar Khan and company have been extremely busy and not afraid to swing for the fences on some of their moves.

The NFL Draft should not be any different for them as they still have plenty of holes to fill on their roster. We know that Khan is not afraid to get aggressive and make trades if he likes a certain prospect. There are ways to maneuver around the draft board, and Khan will likely try and do that so the remaining holes on the roster get filled through the draft.

Steelers kick off the first round of this mock draft with a trade

We start the first round with a bang here as the Steelers trade back three spots to pick up some extra draft capital. In this mock draft, Minnesota was unable to move up for any of the top quarterback prospects. They did feel the need to move up a couple of selections to select Michael Penix Jr., to hopefully become their franchise quarterback.

Pittsburgh only has to move back three spots, and the Vikings were willing to give them an early fourth-round pick in exchange for first-round swaps and the Steelers sixth-round pick. Not bad business for Khan and company as they want to keep things flexible for other potential trades heading into day two. Quality move by the black and gold to start this mock draft. 

Steelers mock draft round 1: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

They made a trade back and still got their top guy. There has been a ton of interest between Amarius Mims and the Steelers throughout the pre-draft process. It would make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh to add a tackle. This would provide an answer on the right side so Broderick Jones could move over to left tackle.

Mims is still raw coming out of Georgia, but he could develop further into a top tackle in the NFL. If Mims would become the first-round pick, expect Dan Moore Jr. to start the year at left tackle until the coaches believe Mims is ready for the starting spot. Everyone will still be holding their breath for the answer at center after this pick, but don't fret yet.

Pittsburgh feels the pressure to trade up in round two

We have another trade to announce early on day two of the draft. It would be something we have never seen in the history of the franchise with two trades of this manner from the Steelers. Khan has shown that he is not afraid to go outside the box and be aggressive. The move back in round one with Mims only allowed them to get more draft capital.

With center being the top need on the depth chart, Khan remains aggressive and moves up 12 spots in the second round. He had to give up that early fourth-round pick he just got yesterday from Minnesota and an extra fifth-round selection in next year's draft. It is well worth it as they can get in a position to get another quality prospect. 

Steelers mock draft round 2 (via Panthers): Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

After trading up, the Steelers go with the last starter-ready center available in this mock draft. Zach Frazier is the selection out of West Virginia. He has only played center in college and should be the most pro-ready out of any of the prospects. He has a ton of experience and is someone the Steelers have been linked to throughout the pre-draft process.

Center remains a massive hole up to this point of selecting Frazier. They only have Nate Herbig on the roster at the moment to compete for the starting center spot. This draft pick will step onto the field with the first team and lock down that spot. Everyone will love Frazier and the toughness that he brings with his game. Now every Steelers fan can breathe a sigh of relief with the center on board.

Steelers mock draft round 3: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

Everyone keeps saying the receiver class coming out of this draft is deep. There is a ton of talent, and the Steelers should feel comfortable with waiting until around this selection to address their need. Diontae Johnson is gone, so adding another quality receiver or two in the draft might be the best course of action for the Steelers.

Jermaine Burton is a name that hasn't been mentioned a ton during the pre-draft process. He ticks a ton of things off the checklist for potential draft targets for the Steelers. He is a fast receiver who will be best on the outside, which Pittsburgh needs to replace Johnson. A mix of him and George Pickens should only elevate their offense.

Steelers mock draft round 3 (via Eagles): Maason Smith, DT, LSU

They got this pick resulting from the Kenny Pickett trade earlier in the offseason. It allows them some flexibility with this late third-round selection. Adding someone to the defensive line has to be near the top of the list for Pittsburgh to address. Luckily for them, one of their favorite defensive linemen fell to them.

Maason Smith hears his name called as the young defensive tackle has a high ceiling as a prospect. He has a lot of work and development in front of him, but that is ok for now. With Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi on the roster, Smith will have time to slowly build a role this year. That will then hopefully lead him to a bigger role after his rookie campaign.

Steelers mock draft round 4: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

The final day of the draft rolls around and the Steelers still have a couple of holes to fill on the roster. Their last main need is at slot cornerback, and they address that immediately with Max Melton falling to them. He should be able to start for them in the slot immediately, but he does provide versatility as he can play outside too.

Both Melton and Donte Jackson will have to battle it out at training camp to see who starts in the slot and on the outside. This is a little later than where the Steelers would likely want to address this need, but that is how this mock draft fell. Melton is great value here and someone Pittsburgh has shown a good amount of pre-draft interest in. 

The Steelers move back to gain back some draft picks from LA

After their earlier trades, the Steelers are lacking draft picks on day three. They were able to get some quality prospects early, but after the Melton pick, they only have one selection left in the sixth round. They turn their attention to a potential trade back towards the end of the draft, and the LA Rams come calling. They are able to make some late draft pick swaps in a deal.

This allows Pittsburgh to add two more prospects to their already solid draft class. Khan was able to move up and down the draft board and keep the same number of selections that the Steelers had entering the event. He is a smart and aggressive guy who is not afraid to make moves. Another good deal for the black and gold.

Steelers mock draft round 6 (via Rams): Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

After the trade back, the Steelers run to the podium to select Tommy Eichenberg. We know their linebackers coach was present for Ohio State's pro day. So, there is interest in this player, especially on day three. He found a way to slip to the Steeler's newly acquired sixth-round pick. He would be of tremendous value here as many think he could go much earlier.

In reality, Eichenberg had a tremendous season a couple of seasons ago and is coming off one where he struggled in coverage. If he can fix his issues in coverage and become more than a reliable run defender, then this would be great value. He is a nice get at this point in the mock draft and provides more depth at linebacker.

Steelers mock draft round 6 (via Rams): Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas

It seems more likely by the day that the Steelers will be looking to add two receivers from this draft class. They could always wait until undrafted free agency at this point, but they decided to bring in Jordan Whittington with their final pick in this mock draft. It will likely come between him and Tahj Washington if both are available around this selection.

Whittington will be a slot receiver at the next level and brings quality size with him. Physicality is something you cannot look past while you watch this player. He is not afraid of contact and running through defenders. That trait should bode well for Whittington at the next level. He should also be able to translate that aspect of his game on special teams.