Steelers Destroy 2024 NFL Draft: Grading Each Of The Teams Selections

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a strong draft class in 2024 if they wanted to have success once the season came around, and they got a stronger draft haul than they could have imagined. General Manager Omar Khan didn't need to move around at all; he made zero trades as he collected the best draft class in the league. Steelers fans should also be appreciative of Andy Weidl, who has a big say in scouting and has been known to be good at drafting talent from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Steelers are bringing in a lot of talent, and they got a lot of players later in the draft than they expected. Khan and Weidl found value at every pick while building one of the strongest draft classes in the NFL. They aced a lot of their selections, but let's dive in to the grades for each pick.

Troy Fautanu: Round 1, Pick 20

The Steelers were able to land Troy Fautanu much later than expected. He was the sixth tackle taken in the draft, but he was initially projected to be a top 15 pick. Fautanu also fills a major need for the Steelers at tackle, they selected Broderick Jones at tackle in the first round in 2023, and address the position again in the first round in 2024. Fautanu played left tackle in college, but it is unclear where he will play for Pittsburgh. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin already made it clear Fautanu is viewed as a tackle, but there is a possibility he will play right tackle while Jones goes back to his natural position on the left side.

Grade: A

Zach Frazier: Round 2, Pick 51

The Steelers addressed another pressing need by selecting Zach Frazier out of West Virginia. He now is the only true center on the roster, and is expected to be a rookie that can start from day one. Some thought Pittsburgh would need to trade up in the second round in order to land Frazier, but thankfully he fell to the Steelers. Frazier is considered the best center in the draft class by many, and he is a big reason why the Steelers draft class is considered to be one of the best in the NFL.

Grade: A+

Roman Wilson: Round 3, Pick 84

Pittsburgh was finally able to take some of the pressure off of George Pickens by selecting Roman Wilson, who is one of the better route-runners coming into the NFL. Wilson has been compared to Steelers legend Hines Ward due to his willingness to block down field, which will be a necessity in Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense. Wilson was expected to be picked in the second, but once again a good player fell to the Steelers later than expected.

Grade: A-

Payton Wilson: Round 3, Pick 98

The Steelers got the best inside linebacker in the draft during the third round. Payton Wilson is an athletic freak who only fell in the draft because of the news that he is missing an ACL in one of his knees. Inside linebacker was a position the Steelers addressed earlier than most thought they would, but they did it by selecting the best player at the position. This was the steal of the draft as Cole Holcomb's health status is still up in the air and Elandon Roberts is entering the final year of his contract.

Grade: A+

Steelers Also Drafted Well In The Later Rounds

The Steelers had just three picks in the back half of the draft, and they used them to address needs and find talented players. They picked up Mason McCormick, Logan Lee, and Ryan Watts, who each address a position in which the Steelers needed help.

Mason McCormick: Round 4, Pick 119

McCormick doesn't address a current need for Pittsburgh, but he is an example of Khan and Weidl thinking ahead. Both of Pittsburgh's current starting guards contracts expire within the next two years, so McCormick gives the organization depth at the position now, with a chance to become a starter if Pittsburgh decides to let either guard walk in free agency.

Grade: B

Logan Lee: Round 6, Pick 178

Lee provides the depth that the Steelers have been looking for along the defensive line. Cameron Heyward isn't getting any younger, and he is set to hit free agency in 2025. It would've been better if Pittsburgh drafted a true defensive tackle rather than someone that is between a tackle and defensive end, but seeing them address the position is promising.

Grade: C+

Ryan Watts: Round 6, Pick 195

This is another scenario where the Steelers needed a corner, and they drafted someone that projects more towards becoming a safety due to a lack of speed. He can still possibly fill in at the open slot corner position, but seeing Pittsburgh draft someone who has more potential as a corner would have been better.

Grade: B