Projecting the final Steeler’s big board ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft

It’s time to pretend I’m a fly on the wall in the Steelers war room!

We’ve reached the point in the NFL draft process where teams are finalizing their boards. The combine is over, top-30 visits are coming to a close, and Pro days aren’t far behind. General Manager Omar Khan and his staff are now compiling that information and putting together their rankings of top players.

The last time I made this list, I included quarterbacks. That was before Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were brought to town. Although I think it’s fair to say that Pittsburgh would draft USC QB Caleb Williams if they had the number one overall choice — I’ve decided to exclude quarterbacks from this list. Here’s how I see it shaping up.

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

I don’t think I’m alone in my opinion that the Biletnikoff Award winner is the best player in this entire class. He has a prototypical size at 6’3, 210. Lbs. – and is a flawless route runner. He proved last year that even without now Texans QB CJ Stroud, he’s still elite. Harrison Jr finished third in the FBS with 14 receiving TDs with well below-average quarterback play.

He won’t be a Steeler – but I’d bet he’s number one on their board.

2. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Maybe a bit of a surprise considering the other two elite receivers on the board, however, I sat back and asked myself, would they rather have an elite left tackle; or an elite receiver (not named Harrison)?

Due to the depth of this receiver class, and the fact that they are likely in trade talks with other teams regarding receivers, they can fix this position faster than they can left tackle. Alt is the best in the class and has a very high floor.

3. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Mr. Reliable – Odunze is strong, smart, and steady. The Huskies receiver has drawn comparisons to former Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald due to his catch radius, and character.

I have him ranked above the next player on this list, although you’d certainly be splitting hairs.

4. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The best word to describe Nabers is explosive. I think he’s a better complement to WR George Pickens than Odunze, but Pittsburgh met with Odunze at the NFL combine, which is why I gave him the slight edge. They can’t go wrong with either – and those “why won’t you be my Nabers” t-shirts would sell like hotcakes.

5. Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Another left tackle, Fashanu holds an advantage over some of the other offensive linemen in the class due to his experience and plug-and-play ability. He may not have as high of a ceiling as some of the prospects you’ll see on this list, but he’s someone with a high floor that any team would be comfortable with starting week 1.

6. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

A natural right tackle, Fuaga has been a fast riser throughout this process. Pittsburgh recently hosted him for a top-30 visit. Fuaga also provides versatility, because he can step in at play guard at a high level. He’d allow OT Broderick Jones to move to his natural position at left tackle and assume the right side immediately. He would probably require a trade up for the black and gold to select him, but I wouldn’t put it past them.

7. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

While I think Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell will be the better player, Pittsburgh has shown more interest in the shutdown Crimson Tide defensive back.

They met with him at the combine and sent various members of their staff to Alabama’s pro day, while only sending director of college scouting, Dan Colbert, to Toledo.

8. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Even though their interest hasn’t been publicized – it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Cornerback is arguably their second biggest need, and Mitchell has better tape than Joey Porter Jr. did last year – albeit against lesser competition.

9. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Fautanu is one of the most versatile players in the class. He can play all five positions on the line and doesn’t have any red flags. He’d be perfect in a zone-blocking scheme due to his aggressiveness and finish. The only question surrounding him is if he can become an elite offensive tackle – and not just an elite guard.

10. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Yes, I get that the Steelers do not need seven tight ends, but this is the point in the rankings where the best player available outweighs need. Bowers is much more than just an in-line tight end – he can play the slot and be a weapon all over the field for a team that lacks them.

11. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The second time in a row best player available outweighs the need. Does Pittsburgh need an EDGE? Probably not. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And Nick Herbig appears to be an impact player.

But this league is full of superstar quarterbacks, making the pass rush even more important. Could you imagine rotating Turner in sporadically? And we can’t forget the injury history of Watt.

12. JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Back to a position of need, Latham barely falls out of the elite category in regard to lineman in this class. Standing at 6’5, 330 lbs., he was a two-year starter at a powerhouse program, and likely projects as a right tackle, which he played primarily for the Crimson Tide, at the next level.

13. Amarius Mins, OT, Georgia

The most intriguing and likely scenario is a debate between Mims and the next player on this list.

Mims is an alien. He’s 6’8 and has 36-inch arms. He also ran a 5.07 forty-yard dash at the combine at 340 lbs.

The biggest knock is experience and durability. He made just eight career starts at Georgia. I’m not so sure he would start right away in Pittsburgh – just like Jones last year. Is he worth investing in if he’s a project that won’t be ready until mid-season?

14. Graham Barton, OL, Duke

Barton is the opposite of Mins in terms of experience. He played all over Duke’s offensive line for four years – with the majority coming at left tackle. However, there’s little doubt that he can be a center in the NFL – and has recently been touted as the best one in the draft by most prognosticators smarter than myself.

15. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Thomas is tall and fast and has drawn comparisons to former Steelers WR Martavis Bryant. He led all of college football with 17 receiving touchdowns. His big play ability is evident, but he needs some refinement with his route running.

16. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Just this past Friday DeJean visited Pittsburgh for a top-30 visit. DeJean suffered a fractured fibula towards the end of last season and didn’t work out until just about a week ago at Iowa’s Pro Day – and boy oh boy did he open some eyelids.

He ran a 4.43 and jumped out of the room with a 38.5-inch vertical leap. Although he suffered the injury, he still won Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

17. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Guyton is a very close call over Texas DT Byron Murphy II, but I think the Steelers would take an offensive tackle over a defensive tackle if the war room is split.

18. Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Murphy II is an enforcer up front and would take a position of relative strength and turn it into an elite group. I think Cam Heyward has enough left in the tank where he and Keeanu Benton could create a really good tandem on their own. Adding Murphy II to that could be the missing piece.

19. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

Although Powers-Johnson is sliding down boards due to concerns over his size and lower body strength, he’s still a really good player. And it’s no secret that Pittsburgh should prioritize the center position probably above all else. Powers-Johnson was also a top-30 visit who would be an immediate starter.

20. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

I think the Steelers have an eye for Adonai, as the former Georgia WR receiver has plenty in common with former Bulldog George Pickens. They are tall, rangy, and excellent in the contested catch department.

You could argue that a different skill set would be preferred given the contest of this offense, but I’d take two George Pickens any-day.

Honorable mentions:

• Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
• Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
• Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA