The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing significant needs as they approach the upcoming NFL Draft. Speculation abounds regarding how they will address these needs, dominating pre-draft discussions. With the draft commencing on Thursday, April 25th, Steelers fans eagerly anticipate the infusion of new talent for the 2024 season.
There's much conjecture surrounding the Steelers' potential moves in the first round, where they hold the 20th pick. Many anticipate a focus on offensive tackle or possibly at the center position. Notably, some highlight Duke's Graham Barton as a top prospect due to his versatility across the offensive line.
Ray Fittipaldo, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently shared insights on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday, shedding light on the Steelers' draft strategy for the first round and offering fans valuable perspective on their potential pick at 20.
"There really is a consensus in that building that they need a plug-and-play offensive lineman… If it comes down to, like, [DB Cooper] DeJean and [OT Amarius] Mims and they don't think Mims is that guy, then maybe it would be DeJean in that situation.”
Fittipaldo suggested that the Steelers might steer clear of selecting someone like Amarius Mims with their pick, citing his limited starting experience at Georgia—just eight times in his career. Mims is viewed by many as a developmental player who may not be immediately ready to contribute as a rookie, but has insane upside.
Standing at 6'7", Mims countered these assertions, emphasizing his ample experience and the quality of his game tape. Continuing his analysis, Fittipaldo went further into the Steelers' apparent strategy for the first round.
"They're in a good position because they have a lot of need at number 20 and you can just sit there and take the best player available at several of those positions. They're not locked into taking a right tackle or a center or a corner or a receiver. They can just sit back, relax, and whoever the highest-rated player is on the board at that point, they could take him and feel pretty good about it."
Fittipaldo's take on the Steelers' upcoming draft selection at 20th overall suggests that the process may appear straightforward, given their mid-round positioning. Despite clear team needs, there's a sense of flexibility in their approach, avoiding the feeling of being pigeonholed into a specific position.
Drawing from his own insights and analysis, Fittipaldo surmises that the Steelers will assess available talent in alignment with their requirements, prioritizing the highest-rated prospect regardless of position.
This strategy opens up intriguing possibilities, such as considering prospects like Cooper DeJean, or another standout talent, potentially diverging from the expectation of a focus solely on bolstering the offensive line in the first round. This unpredictability could indeed surprise fans, injecting excitement into the draft process.
Steelers Could Throw A Massive Curveball In Round One
Amidst swirling rumors about the Steelers' concerted efforts to secure a wide receiver, with hopeful eyes fixed on Brandon Aiyuk, anticipation runs high for their strategy in the first round of the draft. However, nothing is off the table for Omar Khan.
Speculation abounds regarding potential maneuvers, including trading out of their spot or perhaps even swapping the pick for Aiyuk himself. Adding fuel to the fire, Aiyuk recently posted a cryptic message to Steelers fans on Instagram, hinting at potential developments during the draft. While the exact meaning remains elusive, the possibility of a significant move orchestrated by the Steelers and Khan cannot be discounted on draft day.
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