Steelers Mock Draft: A balanced approach patches major roster holes in 2024
By Tommy Jaggi
It took a bizarre sequence of events, but the Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to enter the postseason this year. By doing so, however, their draft stock was greatly impacted. Most fans would gladly take this trade-off for a chance to compete in the NFL Playoffs.
Following the results of Week 18, the Steelers moved from pick 18 back to pick 23. This is where they would be selecting in each round if the season ended today. All along, Pittsburgh's biggest weaknesses have been easy to spot, and we won't be surprised to see them explore every avenue to fill their biggest voids either in free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft.
Depending on whether or not they win or lose against the Bills this Sunday could further impact their draft stock, and there is the potential to move back up a few spots with a Steelers loss and a few upsets this weekend. In my latest seven-round Steelers mock draft, I have Omar Khan patching the biggest holes on the roster with some notable names.
Nate Wiggins. 432. . Nate Wiggins. Nate Wiggins. Cornerback. 1. player. .
Steelers mock draft Round 1: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Joey Porter Jr. worked out so nicely that the Steelers want to do it twice. While freakishly long, rangy cornerbacks like JPJ don't come around very often, Nate Wiggins might be the next closest thing in the 2024 draft class.
Listed at 6'2'' and 185 pounds, Wiggins will need to add bulk to his frame to hold up at the NFL level, but his combination of height, length, and intangibles should have every NFL team intrigued. The Clemson cornerback has gotten progressively better each season and is declaring early as a junior.
Though Wiggins doesn't have many takeaways in his three-year college career (just 3 career interceptions), the former 4-star recruit has broken up 19 passes over the past two seasons since becoming a starter.
The Steelers clearly have a major need at cornerback, even after addressing the position with the 32nd overall pick last year. This is a CB class riddled with quality first-round options, and Wiggins' availability at this point in the draft could come down to team preference among the talented group. This would give Pittsburgh a long-term option to pair with Porter.