Steelers Mock Draft: Omar Khan salivates over 2024 quarterback class

The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly had their share of ups and downs throughout the 2023 season, but like they often do, Mike Tomlin's team fought back to make the season relevant and give them something to play for in their final game. Draft positioning around the league is still being sorted out and you can bet that Pittsburgh's front office has already been hard at work.

The Steelers started three different quarterbacks during the 2023 season and went with the hot hand in Mason Rudolph to close out the year. However, we might have more questions about the position than we did when the 2023 season first started. Additionally, Pittsburgh has a few gaping holes on its roster that will need to be addressed during the 2024 offseason. Here's what I have the Steelers doing in my latest 2024 seven-round mock draft.

Steelers mock draft round 1: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

If you've been following along with college football this year and have already scoped out the top quarterback prospects, it's not hard to see why NFL Draft analysts are so in love with this group. There are a handful of talented (and potential franchise) quarterbacks set to enter the NFL whose names are not Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

While the Steelers have certainly played themselves out of the running for one of the top two quarterbacks this coming April, there are still several promising options to choose from. I have them going with Washington standout, Michael Penix Jr.

Like Kenny Pickett, Penix has played college ball for a long time (six years, to be exact), so he certainly can't compete with the youth of other prospects this year. But that isn't reason enough to cross him off Pittsburgh's list. Penix has strung together back-to-back impressive seasons at Washington after playing four years for Indiana.

Penix was dropping dimes during the College Football Playoffs, and he shines in big moments. With a shaky QB situation in Pittsburgh, the Steelers may not want to risk wasting another year with Pickett or simply hope that Mason Rudolph can be their guy in his seventh NFL season. Penix is smart and accurate and is ready to step in and compete for a starting role from Day 1. Omar Khan should be salivating at the chance to draft one of these quarterbacks early.