At this point, if you make your way around the internet you will see every 2024 mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers headlined by either an offensive lineman, cornerback or quarterback.
All three make sense on different levels and if I were a betting man, I’d take those three spots against the field all day to be the pick.
But let’s think a little outside the box. Here are five guys the Steelers could select in the first round outside of those three positional units.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Allen Robinson should be a salary-cap casualty which is reason enough to add another receiver but with the future of a guy like Diontae Johnson blurry due to his salary, that’s all the more reason to add an elite deep threat like Brian Thomas Jr.
DT T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
We have wanted a true nose tackle since Casey Hampton retired so why not go back to Texas for the next great Steelers nose tackle? T’Vondre Sweat and a massive interior player who creates absolute havoc.
DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
DeMarvin Leal was supposed to have a breakout season in 2023 but he seriously regressed. Montravius Adams and Armon Watts are both free agents and Newton is a dominant interior defensive lineman who can rush the passer all along that front.
LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
We expect to see Edgerrin Cooper come off the board somewhere between picks 20-40 after he puts on a show at the NFL scouting combine. Drafting Cooper gives the Steelers the freedom to let Kwon Alexander walk in free agency and take the pressure off of Cole Holcomb as he recovers from injury.
EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Markus Golden is a free agent and we aren’t sure if Nick Herbig is ready to be a regular member of the pass-rush rotation as a third edge defender. Golden was a star at the University of Missouri so the Steelers could go back there and scoop up Darius Robinson who is a tremendous pass rusher.
