Analyst predicts 2024 NFL Draft could fall perfectly for Steelers

There's arguably no bigger hole on the Steelers roster than at center as they have not added one since releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this offseason.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Pittsburgh may get lucky, however, and be able to land its future starter outside of the first round. 

Three centers in the 2024 NFL Draft could be plug-and-plays — Duke's Graham Barton, Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia's Zach Frazier.

Kiper believes Powers-Johnson and Frazier will be within reach of the Steelers in the second round. In his latest mock draft, he has Powers-Johnson going at pick No. 47 while he has Frazier being selected at pick No. 57.

If that's how the draft board falls, that means Pittsburgh is one small trade-up away in the second round from landing Powers-Johnson or the team could stand pat and land Frazier at No. 51.

The only reason the Steelers don't do either in Kiper's latest mock is because he has them drafting Barton with pick No. 20 in the first round.

However, if Pittsburgh feels good about Powers-Johnson and/or Frazier being available in the second round, why not address it then?

The Steelers have a few other needs, including offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback. So, if they were to go center in the second round, they could address another need in the first.

It's unknown what the reasoning is for the dropping draft stocks of Powers-Johnson and Frazier. ESPN's Field Yates was also surprised after he had projected them to be early second-round picks.

"I mocked them early in the second round, obviously, and the feedback that I have gotten since this mock dropped is that both of the centers were too high — both Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier," Yates said on the "First Draft Podcast."

Pittsburgh should be happy if that's how things play out as it is interested in Powers-Johnson, hosting him on a predraft visit on Wednesday.

Only time will tell how the draft board will fall, but it seems the Steelers may get the chance to fill their biggest need outside of Day 1.