Steelers' 2024 Draft Haul Getting Praised As A Masterclass Effort By All

The Pittsburgh Steelers had already made several significant roster upgrades ahead of the 2024 season, but the influx of talent that arrived in the 2024 NFL Draft immediately added to that. From bringing in three more offensive linemen to addressing linebacker depth, the Steelers' draft haul was impressive, to say the least. Pittsburgh's 2024 draft class is being heralded by much of the media as one of the best in the league, and CBS certainly doesn't disagree with that.

With high expectations entering the 2024 NFL Draft, the trio of Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Andy Weidl did it again and made one excellent pick after the next, refusing to budge from their strategy. Despite a historic lack of defensive players in the top half of the first round, the Steelers were not swayed. Will Brinson from CBS Sports made it quite clear who he believed walked away with the best group of prospects across all three draft days.

"This was an easy one for me, and not just because of the fourth-round pick of Payton Wilson, arguably the biggest steal of the entire draft... Landing Troy Fautanu in the first round is perfectly Steelers, and should help them be more physical in the run game, especially crucial with Arthur Smith in as offensive coordinator now."

Payton Wilson, the Steelers' 98th pick on the second day of the draft, comes to Pittsburgh with an injury history that could be concerning, but Khan took a chance on the feisty linebacker. Wilson, due to an accident in his youth, plays with only one ACL. As strange as that may sound, it isn't unprecedented, with Hines Ward famously playing his entire career in Pittsburgh with one ACL. If Wilson can rise above those worries and stay on the field, he could go down as the diamond in the rough for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Brinson continued to lavish praise upon the Steelers' draft class for 2024, with the selections of Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Roman Wilson rounding out his evaluation. Frazier will be a day-one starter for the Steelers, while McCormick will wait in the wings until he can take over at guard, whenever that moment may come. Wilson, who joins a flock of players with the same name, brings a big school toughness to the receiver room that should create a formidable duo between him and George Pickens.

"Zach Frazier is another physical addition to the offensive line, which suddenly looks like it might be rebuilt. Mason McCormick late in the draft won't hurt matters either. Roman Wilson is a beast of a block in the run game but also will give Russell Wilson/Justin Fields another capable and reliable weapon in a wide receiver room suddenly short on bodies after the offseason Diontae Johnson trade...it's not impossible to imagine this draft flipping the Steelers' expectations for 2024."

While it is all potential right now, there is little doubt that the Steelers continued their excellent 2024 offseason by hitting a home run in the draft. There is plenty to determine throughout team activities and training camp, but when their 2024 campaign begins, the Steelers should field a team that is miles above where they were in 2023.

Steelers Bulk Up The Offensive Line

Broderick Jones was the draft selection that truly signaled a shift in direction for the Steelers. The franchise has long had the identity of running the football and playing shutdown defense, but that has gotten lost over the years. 

Khan and Weidl came to the Steelers with the desire to reshape the team into a grittier, stronger squad that could push around opposing defenses. With Frazier, McCormick, and Fautanu joining an impressive group that includes Jones, Isaac Seumalo, and James Daniels, hopes are high in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have two new quarterbacks in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, and the easiest way to acclimate a passer is to protect him above all else. With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren eager to pick up where they left off at the tail end of 2023, the running game should define the Steelers once again. Pittsburgh's front office knew what they wanted to accomplish through the 2024 NFL Draft, and it appears that they have achieved that goal and then some.

Who is your favorite 2024 draft pick of the Steelers?