The dust has not completely settled on the 2023 NFL draft yet, but it is never too early to work on next year's installment. This past draft had plenty of talents come into the league, but there are many others that will make that leap into the professional ranks around this time next year. They all still have a season ahead of them in college football before their dreams become reality.
Trying to guess what a specific team will do during the draft is always tough, no matter if it is one day before the draft starts or an entire year beforehand. You can only assume certain positions that will likely be needs next offseason and the possible prospects that could fix those issues. The Steelers have some concerns entering this upcoming campaign that could put the emphasis on these players come the 2024 NFL draft.
Strong safety could be in need of a major upgrade after this season
One position that could need an upgrade come next draft is the strong safety position. Keanu Neal is a relatively safe option to start for this club, but he is probably not the long-term option. Some thought Pittsburgh might address this need a little under a week ago, but the draft board did not fall in that favor. There should be some interesting options that could help upgrade at safety if Neal does not prove to be the answer.
One name to keep a close eye on is James Williams out of Miami. This Hurricane has done a great job with his progression as a player and brings size with his play style as well. This safety is a bruiser and would be a nice option to fill the void that Terrell Edmunds left behind. Gaining some stability for the future in this position would be a smart idea.
Adding a center could be a top priority for the Steelers in this draft
Mason Cole is the current starting center for the Steelers heading into the 2023 campaign. His contract does expire after this season concludes, so there is a real possibility that this team enters the offseason without a starter at that spot. Cole could also be re-signed so there are a lot of things that could happen at the anchor spot of the offensive line between now and the 2024 NFL draft.
James Daniels is another player that could take over the center duties after this year as he has prior experience there. One should imagine that the Steelers will investigate adding a center through the draft after they spent countless time scouting the position this time around. They were not able to add to the interior of the offensive line through the draft besides a late seventh round pick plus an undrafted free agent signing.
One center that could be an interesting option is Sedrick Van Pran out of Georgia. Another Bulldog on the black and gold would be an interesting case to watch unfold. It is more likely than not that Van Pran would have been one of the top centers in this class if he left college this year. He returns as a top center prospect with hopes of becoming a first round pick, which is becoming less common for the position.
If Patrick Peterson struggles, cornerback could be another issue
Father Time is undefeated and that streak will not end with Patrick Peterson becoming immortal. He signed a two-year contract with the Steelers through the free agency portion of the offseason. Peterson still has some good play in front of him, but that age will become a factor sooner rather than later. His potential position flexibility could prolong his career, just not at cornerback.
If things fail with Peterson as the starting outside cornerback opposite of Joey Porter Jr., this need could vault to the top of the to-do list for Pittsburgh. They desperately need to find a long-term answer at slot corner, but the outside does have some question marks surrounding it. Expect a potential draft next year that could go after another cornerback early.
One of the coolest names that will come out of the 2024 NFL draft is Kool-Aid McKinstry. He is a corner out of Alabama and will likely be a top pick in next year's draft. This upcoming season will be the determining factor of how early this player will go in the draft. He showed the league a hint of what he can be, but this season should allow him to show what he is.
Inside linebacker could cause issues this season for the draft to fix
Another position that was widely neglected during the draft was inside linebacker. That is not too shocking, especially after the free agency additions of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. Nick Herbig is the wildcard here as he could potentially be someone that could end up as an inside guy if his outside linebacker experiment does not work.
Herbig was drafted to be an edge rusher on the outside to provide depth to the two starters. He should be able to transition to that role, but some scouts believed that he would be better suited as an inside guy. That could happen as the black and gold try to find the best recipe for success for this season and beyond. Leaving a hole either inside or outside could be another need to be addressed again next offseason.
With inside backer being neglected this year, that could potentially put the spotlight back onto the draft to finally fix this spot next time around. Barrett Carter is a name to keep an eye on this upcoming season. He is coming out of Clemson and could be a nice addition to this linebacker group that is currently on the roster. Carter is someone to watch out for in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Right tackle could lead to another high investment for the Steelers
Adding another offensive lineman in back to back drafts early? Sure, why not? Broderick Jones was a big investment and that should bring a bright future at left tackle. The right side of the offensive line's flank is where issues could still arise. Chuks Okorafor and Dan Moore Jr. should be in a battle over the starting tackle spot on the opposite side of Jones.
Trying to invest in the trenches is something that the black and gold seem committed to since Omar Khan has taken over. Each position will be spoken for next year besides center and right tackle unless Okorafor or Moore make a jump this upcoming season. It would make a lot of sense to continue the search for different alternatives to upgrade this offensive front.
One name that will be a high pick in the 2024 NFL draft is J.C. Latham out of Alabama. He has been a starter at right tackle and that is where he will project to start at the next level. Darnell Wright comparisons will likely be in full effect as the pre-draft process picks up speed. This will be a huge season for his sendoff with the Crimson Tide to secure his early round grade for the upcoming draft in another year.