Steelers Mock Draft 2024: What if they trade for a WR?

GM Omar Khan has plenty of tools at his disposal.

Most mock drafts you will see are built around projections. What do we think the team will do? But in this version, I wanted to switch it up — this is what they should do, in a perfect world.

For starters, they should trade for a wide receiver. Sure, easier said than done.

But as we currently stand, they’ve pigeonholed themselves into drafting an offensive tackle, center, and receiver – and starting all three in week one. That’s not a great recipe for a team that’s all in right now. Here are some names that I’ll throw out there:

Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

That Raiders team isn’t going anywhere. They should be smart enough to know that (but they are the Raiders so maybe not). Meyers is a perfect number two option. Last season he had 71 receptions for 807 yards and eight TDs. He’s a natural chains mover. If it takes overpaying, such as offering a third-round pick in 2025, it’s worth it given the win-now mentality of this organization.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

He’s the best receiver on the Denver Broncos, and this is another team in transition. Earlier this offseason Denver traded WR Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a 2024 5th and 6th-round pick.

I’d bet my house a 2024 second-rounder, which is probably too steep, gets this done. And he’s familiar with Russell Wilson, of course. News broke Tuesday morning that Sutton did not report for voluntary workouts as he seeks a new contract; it could be a good time for the Steelers to swoop in.

And then there’s 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk.

The most talked about receiver on X has long been rumored to be disgruntled in San Francisco – although his agent debunked the idea that he’d formally requested a trade just a few days ago.

If the Steelers trade for a wideout, the impact it will have on their draft will be significant. And building around that idea, here’s the latest version I assembled. Hypothetically, the Steelers have traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to acquire Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers. Now, it’s time to get weird.

TRADE: Pittsburgh trades picks 20 and 98 to Dallas for picks 24 and 56 (this was proposed to me in PFN’s mock draft simulator)

Round 1, pick 24: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

If the opportunity presents itself, Pittsburgh should move down and acquire more equity.

The Steelers should draft an offensive tackle in round one. Guyton is the last tackle in the top tier, which means he can be an immediate starter. Standing at 6’7, his size, length, and power make him a high-ceiling prospect with plenty of traits to drool over. His hand placement could use some work, but for what he lacks in technique, he makes up for in pure athleticism.

In an interview I recently conducted with the founder of NFL Draft Bible, Ric Seritella, he said, “If you wait until the second round to draft an offensive tackle, you’re too late.”

The Steelers have shown interest in the likes of Georgia OT Amarius Mims, Washington’s Troy Fautanu – and Guyton. That’s the best bang for their buck in round one.

TRADE: Pittsburgh trades picks 51, 84, and a 2025 4th to Green Bay for picks 41 and 126

Round 2, pick 41: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

The Steelers should trade up to ensure they get their last missing puzzle piece on the offensive line — a center. They can’t risk missing out on Frazier, who continues to be mocked higher than most of us originally thought he’d be drafted.

The former all-state wrestler has the exact type of mean streak you want in the anchor of your line. Similar to Guyton, he’s the last in the tier of top centers – and Pittsburgh needs to address the position early or it’s probably going to be Nate Herbig, who didn’t take a snap last year at center, holding down that spot. Yuck.

Round 2, pick 56: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

In this exercise, the black and gold have addressed receiver, offensive tackle, and center. Not a bad start. This leaves them with some flexibility.

Orhorhoro is extremely versatile and has three years of starting experience. In those three years, he amassed 25.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He’s much more than just a space eater. He played basketball for the majority of his career and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school – so he has plenty of untapped potential.

Round 4, pick 119: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

Waiting until pick 119 to address a large need isn’t ideal, but once again, they have more important holes to fill. And if they get Hart here, it’s one of the steals of the draft.

Entering the ring at 6’2, Hart is a massive corner who uses his size to dominate on contested catches. Over the years Pittsburgh has generally preferred bigger corners like Hart. He will certainly have their attention.

The Steelers are comfortable with Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson holding down the top two corner spots, and don’t forget about last year’s camp standout Corey Trice returning from injury.

Round 4, pick 126: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

Even after trading for a receiver, the Steelers generally can’t help themselves when it comes to adding to that room via the draft. Assuming someone like Meyers or Sutton may be a short-term fix, Washington could be a big part of their future.

Although he’s roughly the same height as Calvin Austin III (5’8), the two are much different players. Washington is 30 pounds heavier and is a reliable chain mover who can be much more than just a gadget.

Round 6, pick 178: Sione Vaki, S, Utah

Sione Vaki’s stock is descending due to a poor combine in which he ran a 4.62 forty-yard dash. However, there’s no question he’s one of the most interesting prospects in the class.

He was always a productive player in Utah’s secondary. But last year, after multiple injuries at the running back position, Vaki was moved to the backfield and played two ways for the Utes! He ran for 317 yards and averaged 7.5 yards per carry.

Despite the slow forty time, this dude is a fun project, and the sixth round is the perfect spot to take a shot on the upside. The Steelers had an informal meeting with Vaki at the combine, so they are familiar with him.

Round 6, pick 195: Edefuan Ulofashio, LB, Washington

The Steelers have a lot of needs, and they aren’t going to fill all of them. But taking a solid coverage linebacker in the sixth round is responsible.

Edefuan Ulofashio was a zero-star recruit in the 2018 class and only had two FCS offers out of high school. He eventually walked on at Washington and became an impact player. He’s an incredibly battle-tested, high-character player, and I wouldn’t put making the team past him.

Here’s the new look Steelers offense:

QB: Russell Wilson

RB: Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren

WR: George Pickens, Jakobi Meyers, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III/Malik Washington

TE: Pat Freiermuth

RT: Tyler Guyton

RG: James Daniels

C: Zach Frazier

LG: Isaac Seumalo

LT: Broderick Jones

Is all of this far-fetched? Of course. But so was acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. So who the heck knows what could happen?

Please ship this to Omar Khan and include postage.