Could GM Omar Khan target one of these prospects via trade up?
If you missed it last night, the Steelers sat tight at pick 20 and drafted one of the top-rated offensive linemen in the class in Washington’s Troy Fautanu.
Mike Tomlin said afterward that GM Omar Khan had to wait the longest ten minutes of his life while the Rams were on the clock in front of them. But ultimately their guy fell into their lap.
Could that happen again today? There’s plenty of talent left on the board. Here’s how I think the Steelers would rank them, from one to nineteen, which is the number of picks leading up to them at 51 overall.
1. Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa
Defensive back isn’t as pressing a need as a center, but it’s still a need. I think DeJean will be at the top of every team’s board. The do-it-all hybrid defender only fell out of the first round because the first 14 picks of the draft were offensive players, including a few very questionable choices at quarterback.
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Powers-Johnson and DeJean are basically 1A and 1B for me. After selecting Fautanu, who presumably will slot in at right tackle, the Steelers can fortify their biggest bugaboo in the blink of an eye. Powers-Johnson fell out of the first round due to some size and medical concerns, but he’ll likely be off the board long before pick 52. Could a trade-up be in the works?
3. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Mitchell is my number four receiver in this class, ahead of Brian Thomas Jr, Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette. All four of those guys were drafted last night.
So why is “AD” falling? There are apparently character red flags – and the Steelers have obviously seen their fair share of those in the past. Are they willing to overlook those for a Bonafide number two receiver that has a skillset similar to George Pickens? I sure would.
4. Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Newton’s tape speaks for itself – he is a generational defensive tackle. I know those are bold words but check out the profile I wrote on him. He’s another player who fell due to medicals, as he’s spent the last handful of months recovering from a Jones fracture in his foot.
The Steelers always do their homework on medicals, as Fautanu, and last year’s third-round pick TE Darnell Washington likely both slipped in the draft due to those concerns.
5. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
McConkey is a refined route runner and a well above-average blocking receiver who would fit like a glove next to George Pickens in Arthur Smith’s ground-and-pound offense.
41 yard Touchdown Ladd McConkey
— TPL Georgia (@TPLGeorgia) October 28, 2023
6. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
There was a serious debate between the Kool-Aid man and West Virginia C Zach Frazier but following the same line of thinking with DeJean > Powers-Johnson – I think Omar Khan is more of the “best player available” type of dude.
7. Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that the former all-state wrestler Frazier could slide to the Steelers at pick 51. He’s probably the last plug-and-play center in this class, which is why he’s ranked so favorably on this projected list.
8. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
The Steelers aren’t hiding their ambitions – get better in the trenches. I mocked Fiske to the black and gold in my final version, and if the versatile and relentless pass rusher is on the board, don’t be surprised if you hear his name called.
9. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Considering some of the receivers left on the board, this may be a bit of a surprise, but I think Mike Tomlin fell in love with Wilson at the Senior Bowl, when he consistently put him through workouts against some of the best defensive backs in the draft.
10. Payton Wilson, ILB, NC State
There wasn’t a single inside linebacker drafted in the first round, so the value here is responsible. Wilson just feels like a Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s an incredible athlete with the savvy of a ten-year NFL veteran. He also traveled to the Southside for a top-30 pre-draft visit with the team, so there is interest from the front office.
11. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
This is where these rankings started to get a bit tricky because I’m evaluating who the team would have higher on their board – not what my rankings would be. Orhorhoro is a high-ceiling prospect out of Nigeria who hasn’t put it all together yet – which is frightening given that he was still all-ACC third team last year.
12. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
The Steelers did not attend Washington’s pro day so this might be a surprise….. oh wait. Remember that Troy Fautanu guy?
Polk is a physical route runner and should have gone ahead of the last two receivers taken in the first round.
13. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Pittsburgh checked every box with the yards-after-catch machine, as WR’s coach Zach Azzanni attended Corley’s pro day, and the team brought him in for a pre-draft visit. He’s dynamic in the open field but isn’t much of a deep threat, which is fine when you have players like Pickens and Calvin Austin III.
14. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Franklin is the opposite of Corley, he’s a big-time deep threat. Most GM’s will have Franklin ahead of Corley on their board, as his rare size and speed combination will have opposing defenses fighting for their lives.
15. Edgerrin Cooper, ILB, Texas A&M
Cooper thrives in an aspect we haven’t seen a Steelers inside linebacker do well in a decade. He can really cover. He has sideline to sideline speed and I’m much higher on him than the consensus.
Edgerrin Cooper is something else on this pursuit. pic.twitter.com/w6IKmOHab1
— Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) April 18, 2024
16. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
I struggled to find the right place for Coleman on this list. The tall and rangy receiver ran a 4.61 forty-yard dash at the combine, which is going to have him drafted later than most anticipated. But turn on the tape. He’s a better receiver than both Corley and Wilson.
17. TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Another player who was extremely tough to rank – because the Steelers simply didn’t show any pre-draft interest. But Tampa is a strong outside cover corner who will assuredly be drafted in round two.
18. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
The Steelers did express plenty of interest in Melton, as he’s a good fit in the slot and can also play outside. Pittsburgh needs versatility in the backend and Melton could provide it.
19. Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
Maybe it’s a Washington kind of week, and McMillan would be a perfect replacement for Diontae Johnson. He’s a refined route runner with fluid hips and great body control. There are certainly plenty of options for Pittsburgh at wide receiver on day two.
So, there are 19 names. Pittsburgh holds the 51st pick, so one of these guys will be left when they are on the clock (that is if they don’t move the pick.)