Steelers 2024 re-draft after injuries plague talented rookie class

Steelers fans should be thrilled with the way this team has drafted under the direction of new general manager Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl. In just two NFL Drafts, the new heads in the front office loaded up on cornerstone talent and have laid the foundation for the next generation of young building blocks in Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately, an injury-riddled rookie class in 2024 prevents an otherwise impressive group of draft picks from reaching their full potential. First-round offensive tackle Troy Fautanu only played one game during his rookie season before suffering a knee injury, while third-round pick Roman Wilson dealt with an ankle injury before landing on IR with a hamstring ailment.

Even Pittsburgh's Day 3 picks Logan Lee and Ryan Watts suffered injuries and weren't able to help the team in 2024. Knowing what we know now, the Steelers would have done things much differently this past April. Here's what I have them doing in this 2024 NFL re-draft.

Round 1 (pick 20):

Steelers re-draft pick: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Original 2024 draft pick: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Troy Fautanu may have been a great pick, but even if healthy this year, Brian Thomas Jr. feels like the obvious choice in a re-draft. Thomas went after Fautanu in the first round, but he's clearly a high-end WR2 with WR1 potential. Meanwhile, the Steelers have no bigger need on their roster than a true threat opposite George Pickens at wide receiver. Thomas would have increased the potential of this inconsistent offense.

Round 2 (pick 51):

Steelers re-draft pick: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Original 2024 draft pick: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Yeah, the Steelers aren't taking this pick back for anything. If they could do it all over again, Zach Frazier would be the selection. Though he missed some time with an injury before the bye week, Frazier is everything Pittsburgh could have hoped for and more -- a bullying center who lives to drive defenders into the ground. He's already a top-10 center in the NFL and he's just getting started.

Round 3 (pick 84):

Steelers re-draft pick: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Original 2024 draft pick: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

The Steelers would still take a 'Wilson' with the 84th overall pick, but if they could do it over, Payton Wilson would have been the selection; not Roman Wilson. Roman was injured on the very first padded practice of training camp and only saw the field for one game before heading to IR. Payton Wilson, on the other hand, is already a splash playmaker at linebacker who offered an instant spark to the defense. He's already a starting-caliber linebacker in the NFL, though he's operating in a rotational role.

Round 3 (pick 98):

Steelers re-draft pick: Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State
Original 2024 draft pick: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

Now that the Steelers took Payton Wilson one selection earlier in this hypothetical 2024 re-draft, they can do the same with impressive rookie guard, Mason McCormick. The small-school product out of South Dakota State was forced into action after season-ending injuries to Nate Herbig and James Daniels, but he's been impressive. McCormick still has some fine-tuning to do, but Pittsburgh would take him at pick 98 in a heartbeat.

Round 4 (pick 119):

Steelers re-draft pick: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Original 2024 draft pick: Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State

With the selection originally used on Mason McCormick, the Steelers would be wise to nab one of the talented running backs that fell in the 2024 NFL Draft. With Braelon Allen and Jaylen Wright both on the board, I have them going with Allen. The big-bodied running back has burst and physicality. Allen would act as terrific Najee Harris insurance and could take over the lead-back role in 2025.

Round 6 (pick 178):

Steelers re-draft pick: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
Original 2024 draft pick: Logan Lee, DL, Iowa

At this stage in the draft, I'm all about swinging for the fences. Even if Logan Lee hadn't gotten hurt during his rookie season, it's unlikely he would have offered the Steelers much. Joe Milton would have been a worthwhile selection. While it's unlikely the polarizing quarterback turns out to be a franchise QB, Pittsburgh could have thrown a dart at an Anthony Richardson-like talent to see if it sticks. If not, they could have turned Milton into a tight end.

Round 6 (pick 195):

Steelers re-draft pick: Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah
Original 2024 draft pick: Ryan Watts, DB, Texas

To make up for the lack of slot receiver Roman Wilson in this Steelers re-draft, I have Pittsburgh taking Devaughn Vele with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round. Vele has been one of the biggest surprises from Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The Broncos wide receiver is a 6'5'' slot receiver who can box defenders out and make tough catches over the middle of the field.