Steelers news: Tyler Boyd, Braden Fiske, and Pittsburgh's latest pre-draft visits
- Pittsburgh is a 'long shot' to sign Tyler Boyd
- Steelers new confirmed pre-draft visits includes a high-profile DT
- Pittsburgh finds great value in Lance Zierlein's latest mock draft
By Tommy Jaggi
Free agency is dying down, but that doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Steelers' front office isn't staying active. All of the major Pro Days have concluded at this point and Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin can finally rest their feet back home. However, pre-draft visits are just heating up.
With roughly three weeks until the 2024 NFL Draft, the latest Steelers news revolves around veteran receiver Tyler Boyd, early-round draft prospect Braden Fiske, and the latest confirmed Top 30 pre-draft visits for Pittsburgh.
Steelers out on Tyler Boyd
According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a "long shot, at best" to sign Tyler Boyd in free agency. While there was reportedly plenty of interest on Boyd's part, the two sides were off on compensation. In his Steelers mailbag on The Athletic, Kaboly claims this ship has sailed.
Pittsburgh covered their bases at receiver after trading away Diontae Johnson by signing veterans Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins. The additions don't outway their losses, as Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin have also departed. Top 30 pre-draft visits suggest the Steelers are looking to fill the void early in the NFL Draft.
Steelers latest confirmed Top 30 pre-draft visits
Ray Fittipaldo of Pittsburgh Post Gazette confirmed four Top 30 pre-draft visits for the Steelers on April 2nd. Meeting with Pittsburgh's brass on Tuesday was Florida State DT Braden Fiske, Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley, Kentucky CB Andru Phillips, and Penn State CB Daequan Hardy.
These visits were previously reported, as scheduled, but they officially took place on April 2nd, per Fittipaldo. Fiske, Corley, and Phillips are all expected to be selected on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers have a need for depth at defensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver, and these three players fit the bill. Hardy is likely a Day 3 option as a slot cornerback if the Steelers miss out on the early-round talent.
These Top 30 visits continue to give insight as to which players the Pittsburgh Steelers are targeting on each day of the NFL Draft. The front office has now used exactly half of the team's Top 30 pre-draft visits. We can expect more visits coming soon.
Steelers land top OT prospect in latest mock draft
On Tuesday afternoon, draft analyst Lance Zierlein of NFL.com released his updated 2024 mock draft. With the 20th overall pick, Zierlein had the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Oregon State offensive tackle, Taliese Fuaga.
In most mocks, Fuaga is off the board before the Steelers pick. However, Zierlein thinks there's a shot that he falls to pick 20. He has Pittsburgh passing on high-upside OT prospects Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton to go with the safe play in Fuaga. The Oregon State product would slide in as the Steelers' starting right tackle -- allowing Broderick Jones to kick back over to his more natural position at left tackle.