Welcome 2024 Steelers Draft Class

Pretty much love this draft. Hopefully the line is basically set for the next several years. Next year it’s time to fix the defensive line.

 

Ryan Watts looks like he will be a special team ace to start out with. 6'3", 208 lbs and is a great tackler. With Miles Boykin gone the Steelers needed to find someone to replace him on the Special teams and I think Watts can do it.

 

I was kind of shocked at pick one, actually. With the way the draft broke, I was sure it was between Barton and Mitchell. I never really considered Fautanu, because he generally was never on the board when I did mock drafts. Once Mims went to Cincy, figured it was a done deal. Glad I was wrong, but only because:
I knew JPJ and Frazier weren't going in the first round. I looked at who was left after round 1, and knew they weren't going in the top 10. But once JPJ went off the board at 12, it was a nailbiter, waiting for Dallas or Miami to trade in front of us.
At the beginning of round three, my big question was "why is Payton Wilson still on the board'? I was pulling for him at 20 (was okay with the other Wilson pick, though), but when Ty'ronn Hopper went in front of Payton, I was like "what the hell?". But it played out well for us.
Day three was depth pieces, as always, but I loved the guard in round 4, depth, future, all that stuff.

 

Next year the focus needs to be CB, DT and WR. The nice thing is we have alot of cap space next year so iim confident one of those positions will be filled in FA as well. I think we have like 85 million in cap space so even if we resign Wilson or Fields we should have enough to resign some of our own and make a splash.

 

i like this draft. i think most people got something they wanted. I know all will not start but each can play a role this season. First and second round most likely started. Like the wilson kid. Wilson and watts could be nickel player and maybe stop TEs from killing us and help fix the hole in middle off defense. Lee may never be a starter but think he could become a Chris Hoke type backup

 

This turned out to be a great draft. I am not going fawn all over it like others, but I do think it is worthy of an A grade.

I didn't like the Fautanu pick at first. Nothing to do with the player, and everything to do with who they passed on. I still think Arnold or Mitchell would have been better choices given how the draft broke.

Roman Wilson can contribute in the slot right away, and I think Payton Wilson has a chance to be the steal of this draft. I think it is going to take him a year or two to develop, but down the road he may end up being the best player from this class.

Frazier starts day 1. I'm sure there will be some rookie moments, but we should see the best center play we have in some time.

There are still glaring holes at CB and WR. If Kahn can find answers there, this has a chance to be one of the deepest rosters the Steelers have had in years.

 

Foundation first.

 

Good thing all three of those positions have good players. Wide Receiver as per usual but Corner has some truly special ones not named Travis Hunter.

 

Thats what this year was for.

 

The la

the last two years have been the offensive line. On the defensive line we are very thin. Don’t forget. This years draft picks haven’t even signed a contract yet. It’s a bit premature to be calling the o-line fixed

 

I agree as we are at CB and WR. The Ogunjobi contract was a very bad contract. Just like all those years of making bad moves at ILB and OL with signing meddling FA’s or bad draft picks it really sets you back years at those positions. We're in a better situation at DT with Heyward (provided he is healthy) and Benton. But we definitely need to get some high pedigree young players in there. I really hop Heyward regains his form and can actually sign an extension for a couple years to provide leadership and stability to that room while we rebuild the room over the next few years. Not too worried about WR next year as I think we will find our final piece to that room and we are usually good at drafting them. This year I am worried. I hope they can find one more veteran to put across from Pickens. The DB room still needs alot of work in my mind and should be just was high if not higher of a priority next year as I believe we still need a slot cb and an outside cb across from JPJ Jr. If it means not signing Najee to an extension or Friermuth or residing Daniels I am fine with that if we take that money next year and put it into one of two positions (CB or DT) to solidify those rooms. Blocking TE’s RB’s are a dime a dozen and easy to replace in the draft and with this offense and Wilson at QB you don’t need a receiving TE because he doesn’t throw to the TE. Regarding Daniels it looks like we already have our future Guard in waiting.

 

I didn’t like Day 1 because of I saw center as the primary need and I have questions about fit. Fautanu is a STUD and will definitely be one of their top five lineman, just not sure where he plays yet.

Day two was the best day of drafting I can remember. Everything fell their way. That was a masterclass in letting the draft come to you. A perfect storm of our needs matching best player available. And getting Frazier made my anxiety from Day 1 dissipate.

Day 3 was ok. If they like the Jackrabbit guard as much as they say I’m fine with it. Seamalu is 31 and James Daniels is a FA after this season. I like Logan Lee as a developmental 5-Technique. Probably battles Loudermilk for a roster spot. Watts is athletic and should contribute on special teams.

I hope they attack D Line next year the way they attacked O Line this weekend.

 

The draft pretty much went my way, which was pretty exciting.
I was a little panicked over Frazier and I am glad they had the patience not to trade up.
I think it wasn't spectacular (you know big blockbusters) but very solid and methodical.
I can't pick a grade on the players but the positions addressed, I'd give them a solid A.

I do think they need to play Free Agency just a tad more.
I love the LB Wilson, he's one I mentioned very early on. He has a history of injuries, but I think they got him in a good spot and he's worth the risk.
Wilson has the speed and coverage skills.

 

He has a great teacher in Karl Dunbar!


If there is any Defensive Line Coach I trust to develop young IDLs, he is at the top of the list. Dunbar learned from Pete Jenkins; a legendary Lineman Coach compared to Dante Scarnecchia. For that matter, see what he has done for the likes of Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams and even Isaiahh Loudermilk; a player who finally broke out depth wise last season.


Logan Lee has far superior pass rushing chops than Loudermilk did when he came out of Wisconsin. With any luck, Lee can become a quick study.

 

Big THANK YOU to members who posted about the new Steelers. Every name was brand new to me and all the info I needed to learn about the player was right here. One stop shopping and most appreciated!!

 

Very important here.


Gonna likely invest in defense the next few years but I expect future drafts to be heavily Offense.

 

I am still having problems with the TJ Tampa NON-PICK. And then he goes to Baltimore to be their future at CB. (Baltimore )

TJ Tampa was on the board for the Steelers in the 4th round, and they selected backup guard Mason McCormick. I am doing my best to move past this selection.

And then there are other times where you never get over the feeling that you had it right in your grasps when you passed up on Center Creed Humphrey to select TE Pat Freiermuth.

 

Tampa ran a slow forty time which is probably why he dropped, Baltimore drafted Wiggins in the first round to be their future CB.

 

Yet you never ask yourself, why was Tampa available in the late 4th round? You act like he was a 2nd round CB, but 32 NFL gm's disagree with you.

 

Because he is not a #1 CB. But, the Steelers do not need a #1 shutdown CB with JPJ. Pittsburgh needs a sidekick for JPJ.

Bringing on TJ Tampa to be the #2 CB along side JPJ, would have filled the long term DB problems.

Same reason I liked Roman Wilson. Roman is not a #1 WR, He can't beat the best CB's in the league, and he can't beat the DBL teams that is Pickens Job on this offense. But, Roman can be your middle of the field, possession WR, that you throw the ball too on 3rd down when Pickens is being Double Teamed.

 

Khan and Weidl. Perfect together. Hopefully Weidl stays a few more seasons.

You never know how any draft is going to play out but I feel our first 2 selections should ice down the Offensive Line. The 2 Wilsons should see playing time and i'm excited to see their contributions. And they got a guard that might be starting next season. Hopefully Lee can develop and get some snaps as well as Watts.