Steelers pull off massive trade and address pressing needs in 7-round 2024 mock draft
- They make a huge trade on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft
- Steelers immediately address their secondary in Round 1
- Sam Hartman is a late-round developmental pick
Steelers start off this 2024 mock draft strong in the secondary
Tyler Nubin. 487. . player. . Tyler Nubin. Tyler Nubin. 2. . Safety
With the 34th overall pick in the draft, Pittsburgh takes Tyler Nubin out of Minnesota. He is a fifth-year safety who is still young and won't turn 23 until this summer. He has a lot of experience with the Golden Gophers and should be able to handle a starting role. Strong safety requires a lot of different qualities with flexibility being a key piece.
Nubin has an eye for the ball, but he is not afraid to get his face dirty in run defense. He has shown the ability to be deployed across the defense during his time in college. Damontae Kazee and others could challenge him for the starting job in camp, but this will be Nubin's job sooner rather than later. He is a talented player and a great value at this selection.
. 2. Cornerback . Kalen King. Kalen King. player. Kalen King. . . 491
Pittsburgh gets to their other pick in the second round and takes someone that they have grown familiar with. After watching so much Joey Porter Jr. tape last season, the Steelers have been able to also notice Kalen King on the opposite side of him. Those two were one of the best cornerback duos in the country last season for Penn State.
The hope with this selection is that King can continue his development at the next level as Porter Jr. keeps pressure off him as a true number-one defensive back. King has produced more turnovers in college than Porter did, so that trend should translate to the next level. The black and gold need an answer on the opposite side of Porter and King would be a good option here.