Three best fits for Steelers in first round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins on April 25.

The Steelers are trying to return to their standard of contending for championships every year instead of just making the playoffs. Pittsburgh hasn't won a postseason game since the 2016 season. The team has done its best to end that dry streak by signing QB Russell Wilson, LB Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott while also trading for Bears QB Justin Fields and Panthers CB Donte Jackson this offseason.

With that in mind, these three prospects would be ideal selections for the Steelers in the first round.

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Pittsburgh invested its first-round pick (after a trade-up) in last year's draft for offensive tackle Broderick Jones. However, Jones spent his rookie season at right tackle while Dan Moore Jr. was on the left and allowed eight sacks.

If the team is interested in moving Jones back to his primary position of left tackle, drafting Mims, who's primarily played right tackle, would make a ton of sense.

The massive 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle allowed just five pressures with zero sacks in 365 total pass block snaps during his time at Georgia, per CBS Sports.

Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Steelers' most glaring need is arguably at center, having not added one since releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this offseason. Many believe Pittsburgh will use its first selection on the position, especially after head coach Mike Tomlin's recent comments.

Per The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, Tomlin said of the position class that "after a couple centers in the draft, it will likely not be plug and play."

Tomlin seems to be referring to Powers-Johnson and West Virginia's Zach Frazier, who is projected to be a second-round pick.

If the Steelers don't want to risk losing either, drafting the Oregon product, who allowed zero sacks last season, would be smart.

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Most "experts" believe Pittsburgh will select an offensive lineman in the first round, but the team's interest in Wiggins seems to be very real.

The Steelers hosted the Clemson product on a pre-draft visit, met him formally at the NFL Scouting Combine, attended his pro day, and took him out to dinner the previous night.

All hints Pittsburgh could draft him come April 25 because Mims was the only prospect to check all those boxes before Thursday.

It can be argued that the team has more pressing needs after trading for Jackson earlier this offseason, but the team is still thin at the position and Jackson only has one year left on his contract.

Wiggins posted 58 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 17 passes defensed the past two years.