According to most experts that cover the draft, the Steelers nailed the 2023 installment of the annual event. Quality was found at many different positions of need for the black and gold throughout the seven rounds. Even though there has been a lot of praise done by the media for this club, there are still some question marks across this roster.
There is a high possibility that this organization will have those question marks become weak points on their team. That will propel those weak links into needs by the time next offseason rolls around.
Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL draft this early is almost dangerous, but the team could take notice of these prospects during the upcoming 2023 college football season.
Steelers mock draft round 1: OT J.C. Latham
Implementing a new investment plan into the offensive line has been in full effect last offseason and this one. The club has signed multiple starters during free agency and drafted a tackle that they hope will become a franchise protector for Kenny Pickett. Right tackle and center could be areas of focus for the Steelers come next year's draft as Chuks Okorafor is not a great starter and Mason Cole is on an expiring deal.
One player that could finally fix the instability at tackle is J.C. Latham out of Alabama after this season. He is a right tackle and would likely play that spot in the NFL as well. Latham would have been one of the best tackle prospects in this past draft if he was eligible. He should get the Darnell Wright treatment by the time the pre-draft process ends.
Steelers mock draft round 2: OC Sedrick Van Pran
As mentioned earlier in the article, center will likely be a missing spot in the starting lineup for next season. It is possible that the black and gold either re-sign Mason Cole or bring in another veteran to replace him in free agency. We know that the club studied the interior offensive lineman in this past draft class closely, which could carry over to 2024.
Sedrick Van Pran would have been one of the top centers in this past draft class if he was involved. He has seen great success during his time at Georgia and should carry that into his final collegiate season. Van Pran would be a plug and play center for the Steelers and it would carry on the recent connection between that program and the steel city.
Steelers mock draft round 3: CB Cam Hart
Another cornerback gets invested in this team early into the process yet again. Joey Porter Jr. and Patrick Peterson will likely be the starters on the outside, but Peterson is not getting any younger. Bringing in another outside cornerback that possesses the perfect size and physicality the Steelers look for to sit behind Peterson for a year would be great. Cam Hart is not a finished product and has a lot to prove this season, but he has all the physical traits that every NFL club looks for.
Steelers mock draft round 4: LB Eric Gentry
Inside linebacker is going to be one of the biggest question marks on defense for this year. It could skyrocket up the to-do list if Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are not able to establish themselves as the top starters for this team. In this mock draft, the Steelers decide to wait and end up taking a gamble on Eric Gentry out of USC.
He is still a work in progress as he gets into his junior year of college. Gentry needs to add a lot of weight onto his frame if he wishes to be a true three down linebacker at the next level. He is a tall prospect, but his weight hovering around 200 pounds is somewhat concerning.
Steelers mock draft round 5: QB Shedeur Sanders
Pittsburgh loves family bloodlines, and it makes perfect sense that Shedeur Sanders could end up in the black and gold. Many think that he could be a first round pick, but the earliest he probably will go is on day two. He had a good career at Jackson State, but this is where he needs to prove himself. Colorado is going to prove to be the ultimate test, and they will likely struggle in a solid conference. The Steelers would take Sanders to hopefully come into camp and challenge for the backup spot.
Steelers mock draft round 6: S Lorando Johnson
Lorando Johnson is someone that might not declare for the 2024 NFL draft, but he was in the simulator. He has a lot of skills that could translate over to the NFL nicely. He has a smaller stature for a safety, He would be an interesting fit to add to this roster at this juncture of the draft.
Johnson joined Baylor through the transfer portal this past offseason and will try to build his name some notoriety. Like most of these prospects that made this mock draft, this season will be their guide as to how their draft stock goes. Depending on how they do, they will have to make decisions about if they will depart college and turn pro or not.
Steelers mock draft round 7: IOL Christian Mahogany
Rounding out this mock draft with a guard here even though there has been a lot of investment into the position over the past couple of years. Nate Herbig should be a solid depth piece, but it looks like Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson will be off the team sooner rather than later. Adding Christian Mahogany would provide additional depth and someone that can battle for a role on the 2024 roster. A lot of things will change between now and the start of the pre-draft process next year, but it will be fun to watch play out.