Steelers Mock Draft: A balanced approach patches major roster holes in 2024

Steelers mock draft Round 4 (via LAR): Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State

We know that Camreon Heyward is not going to last forever. The soon-to-be 35-year-old defensive lineman took a step back in his performance this year once he finally returned to the field after a groin injury. Heyward might have a bit more left in the tank, but the Steelers need to start planning for life without him.

Pittsburgh may have struck gold on former Wisconsin DL Keeanu Benton in the second round last season. But even if he continues to impress, this team needs much more help on their interior defensive line. Larry Ogunjobi hasn't been earning his lofty three-year, $28.75 million contract, while the depth consists of replacement-level players. It doesn't help that former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal was a healthy scratch late in the year for Pittsburgh.

There's a certain type of interior defensive lineman that the Steelers typically look for, and Braden Fiske fits the bill. At 6'5'' and 297 pounds, Fiske has a moldable frame to work with. Fiske played four years in the MAC conference at Western Michigan before transferring to Florida State.

Mike Tomlin is very familiar with the MAC and ACC players, and Braden Fiske seems right up his alley. Despite his impressive size, Fiske has also been a productive college football player -- earning 36.0 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks during his career. The fifth-year senior might be one of the older Day 2 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he showed a lot of promise in his first year in a Power 5 conference.