The lead up to the 2024 NFL draft is coming to a close. The combine, pro-days, and predraft visits are largely over at this point. That means it is time for our annual post “Steelers first round pick in five tries”. We’ve been pretty successful nailing the pick the last few seasons with this formula. Steelers first round pick in five tries: Version 2.0
This year promises to be a bit more difficult. Usually tracking where Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan end up for pro days is the biggest clue. The Steelers have not drafted a player in the first round that the coach/GM hasn’t attended the pro day since Ziggy Hood way back in 2009. This season however the duo only attended four, making the list very narrow. It could be the first year in a very long time where this streak is broken. With all that in mind, lets take a look at the five most likely candidates for the Steelers in round one:
1. Amarius Mims OT – Georgia:
Aramius Mims is the leader in the clubhouse for us right now. He fills a huge need at right tackle for the Steelers. Mims is a giant man, standing 6’7”, and weighing in at 340 pounds. It’s the athleticism at this size that makes him special. There is a very real possibility he could end up the best tackle in this class when all is said and done. Mims was brought in for a pre-draft visit, Tomlin/Khan were at his pro-day, and they met with him at the combine. All the dots are connected with this player in terms of what we look for in a potential first round pick.
The only drawback is the relative inexperience here. With only 700 career snaps at Georgia, there is some concern of his lack of game experience. This may work in the Steelers favor if it causes him to drop to 20. If he does, this is an absolute no-brainer selection for this franchise. He was also are choice in our latest mock draft – Steelers mock draft 3.0: The connecting the dots edition
2. Nate Wiggins CB – Clemson:
Nate Wiggins is another player that checks all our boxes. Just like Mims, the Steelers were at his pro-day, he’s been in for a visit, and the team met with him at the combine. Wiggins is an elite cover corner, and athlete. He ran a ridiculous 4.28/40 at the NFL combine. He does not have the ideal size, or arm length the Steelers like in their corners. One serious drawback is the fact that Wiggins only weighed in at 173 pounds, bringing his tackling ability into question. His talent as a cover corner can not be ignored however, and the team has definitely done their homework on this player. Nate Wiggins is very much in the mix to the Steelers at 20.
3. JC Latham OT – Alabama:
The Steelers have done a ton of work on tackles during this process, leading us to believe this is a position they are looking to fill in round one. JC Latham is a much more polished right tackle prospect than the previously mentioned Amarius Mims. Latham takes no back seat in size either standing 6’5”, 342 lbs. There is some question whether he will last until 20, but if he does Latham will be strongly considered by the Steelers.
4. AD Mitchell WR – Texas:
For the first time ever, we feel compelled to include players who the Steelers did not attend their pro days. The list of potential candidates is just too small otherwise. One player who the team has shown particular interest in besides the pro day is AD Mitchell. Mitchell met with the team at the combine, and had him in for a visit. Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni did attend his pro day making him a very likely candidate.
AD Mitchell is the kind of size/speed athlete at reciever the Steelers covet. You will not find many 6’2”, 205 lbs receivers running a sub 4.4 forty. Mitchell is also a nuanced route runner making him the total package. Only in such a deep wide receiver class will a player like this be available at 20. If we were to pick one player for our Steelers first round pick in five tries who breaks the mold, AD Mitchell would be the guy.
5. Jackson Powers Johnson C – Oregon
We are reluctant to include a center to the Steelers in the first round for many reasons. First of all, the team seems to have done very little in terms of first round clues on any center in this draft. Secondly, most experts believe there might not be a single one taken until round two. Having said that, there is such a dire need at this position we just can’t rule it out.
Jackson Powers Johnson is the consensus number one center in this draft. Add that to the fact it was just reported today that the Steelers will have him in for a predraft visit. https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/steelers-host-jackson-powers-johnson-pre-draft-visit/UEWSX72VNJCA7DLRRTRYRFWLGA/
One last clue is that offensive line coach Pat Meyer did attend his pro day. We can see a scenario where Mims, Higgins, and Mitchell are off the board, and this leads Omar Khan to decide to snatch up the best center in the draft. It may not be the most likely outcome, but drafting Jackosn Powers Johnson in round one can not be ruled out.