Pittsburgh has two major holes to fill on the offensive line ahead of the 2024 NFL Season
The 2024 NFL Draft is just days away, which means that the Pittsburgh Steelers fans around the world anxiously awaiting word as to which of the three gigantic holes on their roster (offensive tackle, center, wide receiver) will soon be filled will finally have their answer.
In peak NFL draft rumor week, attempting to discern any team’s true intentions is a fool’s errand, but NFL betting odds can sometimes be indicative of which way the rumor winds are blowing as oddsmakers adjust the final lines in the days leading up to the draft. So, here’s a look at the current odds for what position the Steelers will select with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
All odds come courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Steelers odds: Position of 1st player selected in 2024 NFL Draft
- Offensive line: -350
- Wide receiver: +400
- Cornerback: +600
- Defensive line/EDGE: +1500
- Safety: +5000
- Linebacker: +5000
- Tight end: +7500
- Quarterback: +10000
- Running back: +15000
- Kicker/punter/longsnapper: +20000
Odds for the Steelers first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft have continued to remain heavily in favor of the offensive line at -350. That certainly makes sense, considering that two of Pittsburgh’s top three needs are on the offensive line, with -350 odds implying a 77.8% likelihood.
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, a resource that compiles NFL mock draft results from various media outlets, the most common players mocked to the Steelers include Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims and Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham — all offensive lineman. Another popular pick as of late is versatile IOL Graham Barton out of Duke, who played at center as a true freshman before transitioning to left tackle for his final three seasons. Again… offensive line. Are you sensing a pattern?
If the Steelers don’t go with an offensive lineman, odds next favor wide receiver, with LSU prospect Brian Thomas Jr. a popular selection in NFL mock drafts. Odds for the Steelers to draft a wide receiver are at +400, implying a 20% likelihood. When considering the top receivers in this class beyond the top three (Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers), here’s a look at where the others stand in the overall consensus big board rankings:
- No. 18 — Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)
- No. 27 — Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
- No. 33 — Ladd McConkey (Georgia)
- No. 34 — Xavier Worthy (Texas)
All things considered, given the depth of this receiver class and the richness at the top of the tackle class, it seems most likely that the Steelers are walking away with an offensive lineman in Round 1.
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