The Pittsburgh Steelers had a busy offseason on the offensive side of the ball. They hired a new offensive coordinator, traded one quarterback off the roster, traded for another quarterback, and signed a Super Bowl-winning quarterback at the veteran minimum.
How did Pittsburgh add further puzzle pieces during the NFL’s annual selection event? Here is a closer look at the Steelers’ grades from their performance in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 20: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
For a second straight year, the Steelers have spent first-round capital on an offensive lineman. This year, they spent the No. 20 overall pick on Washington’s Troy Fautanu, who will immediately contribute to an offensive line unit that has had issues for the past three seasons.
Troy Fautanu is one of the most versatile OL prospects in the draft and could be a difference-making presence early and often. 💪#GoHuskies | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ALnKKeyRKk
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Fautanu enters the league with ready-made pass-protection skills with fluid lateral agility, technical expertise, strong hands, angle discipline, and recovery athleticism.
Some believe he should flex inside to guard at the next level, but I believe he will fit in perfectly at tackle opposite of Broderick Jones, which makes this a great pick for the brand of football new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wants to play in Pittsburgh.
Grade: A-
Round 2, Pick 51: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
The Steelers decided to double dip into the 2024 NFL Draft along the offensive line by selecting center Zach Frazier out of West Virginia to help shore up the protection in front of either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields next season.
Pittsburgh invested the 20th overall pick in tackle prospect Fautanu, which stays consistent with the brand of football new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wants to play in 2024. Frazier immediately gives the Steelers interior offensive unit a physical presence who can thrive in both gap and zone schemes despite his lack of ideal length.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 84: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
The Steelers entered the 2024 NFL Draft needing to add a receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers this offseason and somehow managed to steal Michigan WR Roman Wilson with their third-round pick.
Wilson is a great vertical threat who can terrorize opposing defenses on the second and third level with an exceptional blend of raw burst and verticality. He should factor into the receiver rotation immediately alongside George Pickens in 2024.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 98: Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
The Steelers addressed the linebacker position this offseason by signing Patrick Queen to a market level deal in free agency, but they could lose Cole Holcomb to a career-ending injury if his rehab doesn’t go favorably. With that context, the Steelers landed the exceptionally explosive linebacker Payton Wilson out of N.C. State at the tail end of the third round was an absolute steal.
MORE: Analysis and Grades for All 7 Rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft
Now, he does have a concerning durability history of his own – tearing his ACL on two occasions – and does possess elite stopping power as a tackler, but his ideal range in today’s faster game makes him a linebacker prospect who could easily develop into a starting-caliber contributor down the road if his health holds up.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 119: Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State
The Steelers had a clear strategy entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Address the offensive line early, often, and always. Pittsburgh selected a third OL prospect by drafting Mason McCormick at No. 119 overall out of South Dakota St.
McCormick has great athleticism and extensive starting experience while he dominated at the FCS level during his collegiate career. He provides yet another versatile offensive line prospect for Pittsburgh’s retooled offensive unit up front.
Grade: A-
Round 6, Pick 178: Logan Lee, DT, Iowa
The Steelers have mainly focused on beefing up the offensive line group in the 2024 NFL Draft but decided to invest the No. 178 overall pick in the defensive trenches by selecting Iowa DT Logan Lee.
Pittsburgh’s interior defensive line rotation is projected to consist of Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi in 2024. Yet, Lee flashes excellent hand technique and an explosive first step, which make him an intriguing developmental prospect along this unit up front.
Grade: C
Round 6, Pick 195: Ryan Watts, CB, Texas
The Steelers like to play a physical brand of football, and that fits their sixth-round selection — Texas cornerback Ryan Watts — perfectly. Watts wakes up in the morning and chooses violence. He is a physically imposing corner who could project as a safety at the next level due to his capabilities in run support and imposing size as a cornerback prospect.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL Draft Summary
Normally when a team heavily focuses on just one position group for an entire draft, that could be a recipe for disaster.
KEEP READING: Steelers UDFA Signings and Rookie Camp Invites
Yet, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ability to land Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, West Virginia center Zach Frazier, and South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick felt more like a masterpiece on how to revamp your offensive line instantly.
The selection of NC State linebacker Payton Wilson only managed to solidify this group as an excellent overall class for the Steelers in 2024.
Final Grade: A