Steelers mock draft reaction: Dane Brugler hits on Pittsburgh's biggest needs early (2024)

After months of breaking down film, gathering intel from scouts and researching hundreds of players, NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler released his annual seven-round mock draft.

His selections for the Pittsburgh Steelers are as follows:

In my eyes, the Steelers’ three biggest needs are offensive tackle, center and wide receiver. Brugler hit on all three in the first three rounds. Two of those players — Graham Barton and Blake Fisher — came to Pittsburgh for pre-draft visits. The other, Roman Wilson, was a player the Steelers kept a close eye on at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

From there, the picks get a bit more controversial. Let’s dive in, pick by pick.

Note: All of the “other players to consider” were selected based on Brugler’s rankings. So even though on your personal big board, you think someone is going to be picked in the first round (and maybe you’re right), I’m trusting our expert. An asterisk indicates a player has taken a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh. I’ve listed key players at key positions (even if those positions have already been addressed) so readers have a sense of where Brugler expects the Steelers’ targets to go.

Round 1, pick No. 20: Graham Barton, C, Duke

About the pick: Barton earned freshman All-America honors as a center in 2020 before transitioning to left tackle for the next three seasons, eventually earning another All-America nod in 2023 at that position. Because of his short arms, he’s expected to move back inside to center and is in contention to be the top player picked at the position. “Overall,” Brugler wrote, “Barton will have adjustments to make as he moves inside, but he has athletic feet and strong hands and works hard to stay attached to blocks through the whistle.”

Why it makes sense: Everything the Steelers do and say indicates they want to win at the line of scrimmage and lean on the running game. Well, if that’s the plan, they’ll need offensive linemen to execute it. After cutting last year’s (underwhelming) starter, Mason Cole, they need someone capable of coming in and starting from day one.

Now, I know half of you are rushing to the comments to suggest they wait until the second round to draft West Virginia’s Zach Frazier. I also love that hypothetical … if he’s still available. But there’s no guarantee of that, as Brugler currently rates Frazier as the 34th-best player overall. This could create a big dilemma for the Steelers on draft night: Do they take a top center if he’s available or wait and hope to find the future anchor of the offensive line in the second round or later?

Other players to consider: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga* (17th overall in Brugler’s rankings), Georgia OT Amarius Mims* (19th), Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson* (23rd), LSU WR Brian Thomas (15th), Texas WR Adonai Mitchell* (33rd), Clemson CB Nate Wiggins* (24th), Iowa DB Cooper DeJean* (25th).

Round 2, pick No. 51: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

About the pick: At 5 feet 11 and 185 pounds, Wilson is on the smaller side. But his speed, deception and advanced route-running prowess make him one of the more intriguing slot receiver options in this year’s draft. He became the go-to passing weapon for Michigan’s national championship team and was one of just 10 FBS players in 2023 with at least 12 receiving touchdowns. It’s also worth noting that coach Mike Tomlin challenged Toledo DB Quinyon Mitchell to guard Wilson on every rep at the Senior Bowl to see how two of the top players at their respective positions would do against each other. Wilson more than held his own.

“Wilson has a strong sense of the biomechanics of his athleticism to make crisp speed cuts without breaking stride, which creates separation and gives his quarterback a target,” Brugler wrote. “However, not every route is a race, and he needs further development with his pacing, early (releases) and late.”

Why it makes sense: George Pickens gives the Steelers a big-bodied, deep threat to take the top off the defense and help maximize Russell Wilson’s trademark deep ball. However, after dealing Diontae Johnson, the Steelers need someone to work the underneath portions of the field. Wilson is one of several good options in the second round. A three-year starter at Michigan, Wilson ran mostly in-breakers, like crossers and slants, and 71.7 percent of his catches in 2023 came between the numbers.

Other players to consider: West Virginia center Zach Frazier* (34th overall in Brugler’s rankings), Florida WR Ricky Pearsall* (45th), Texas WR Malachi Corley* (54th), South Carolina WR Xavier Legette* (76th), Ohio State DT Mike Hall Jr. (60th), Kentucky CB Andru Phillips* (61st), Rutgers CB Max Melton* (63rd), LSU DT Maason Smith* (64th), BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia (40th), Houston OT Patrick Paul (59th).

Round 3, pick No. 84: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

About the pick: At 6-5, 310 pounds and with 34 3/8-inch arms, Fisher has NFL size and measurables. In 2021, he became the first Notre Dame freshman lineman to start the opener in 15 years but injured his knee in that game. That set him back; it took until the 2022 season for him to reclaim a starting role. “Fisher will entice evaluators with his size, compete skills and foot quickness and drive them crazy with his inconsistent balance, technique and timing,” Brugler writes. “Overall, Fisher is a big, athletic finesse blocker who flashes power but falls off too many blocks and needs to introduce more control to his play style before he is ready for NFL competition.”

Why it makes sense: If the Steelers have not added an offensive tackle by this point, the third round would be a good time to find a developmental player with upside. Because of his uneven performances during his two years as a starter, Fisher wouldn’t be ready to step into a starting role right away. But over time, if his technique catches up to his measurables, he’d fit in as the future at right tackle, allowing Broderick Jones to flip to the left side.

Other players to consider: Florida State DT Braden Fiske* (71st overall in Brugler’s rankings), Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus (75th), Miami S Kamren Kinchens (79th), Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie (87th).

Round 3, pick No. 98: Bralen Trice, edge, Washington

About the pick: At 6-3 and 245 pounds, Trice is a versatile and productive player with a highly competitive playing style. He lined up on the edge in the 2-point and 3-point stance and played tight (4i technique) and wide. He led the FBS in pressures in 2022 (70) and 2023 (78). “Trice doesn’t have exceptional edge speed or length and needs to be more consistent in the run game,” Brugler wrote, “but his athletic urgency and violent play style will help translate his college disruption to the pros. He projects as a scheme-diverse rotational NFL end.”

Why it makes sense: Of Brugler’s seven draft picks for the Steelers, this is the one I questioned the most. If Trice is a true edge rusher, this is probably too early to address that position, even though one of last year’s reliable backups, Markus Golden, remains unsigned. Consider that Nick Herbig, who showed promise as a rookie, had a hard time cracking the rotation with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith ahead of him on the depth chart. But if Trice has the scheme flexibility to slide inside and play the 4i (which is where Cameron Heyward or Larry Ogunjobi line up in the base Okie front), I like it more. Perhaps he could provide depth in both roles and also come off the bench to be a rotational rusher in sub packages. Still, an off-ball linebacker, true defensive tackle or defensive back makes more sense here if the Steelers opt for defense.

Bralen Trice @nfl Combine ✅ pic.twitter.com/1fYmtzN3fG

— Coach Ed (@DlineCoachEd) February 29, 2024

Other players to consider: Auburn CB DJ James (92nd overall in Brugler’s rankings), North Carolina WR Devontez Walker (93rd), LSU DT Mekhi Wingo (95th), Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (96th), Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini (third- to fourth-round grade).

Round 4, pick No. 119: Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

About the pick: After an up-and-down three seasons at Florida State, Brownlee transferred to Louisville, where he became a two-year starter and played the best football of his college career. He recorded 21 passes defended in his final 24 games. Brugler notes that “NFL scouts rave about his ultra-competitive and aggressive playing demeanor.”

Why it makes sense: The Steelers always say the first thing they look for in defensive backs is the ability to tackle. Brownlee fits that description and also would be a stylistic match as a DB who is best at challenging receivers in press coverage. His experience in the slot could be especially valuable for the Steelers, who need long-term answers outside and inside.

Other players to consider: Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (fourth-round grade), Rice WR Luke McCaffrey* (fifth-round grade), USC WR Brenden Rice (third- to fourth-round grade), Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (third- to fourth-round grade).

Round 6, pick No. 178: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State

About the pick: From a walk-on to a team captain, Oladapo’s muscular frame and physical playing style have helped him work his way into the Day 3 conversation. He began his career as a corner before transitioning to safety. “Oladapo doesn’t have ideal top-end speed or rangy ball skills for deep coverage, but he is a good-sized athlete who trusts his sightlines and enjoys making noise in the run game,” Brugler writes. “He projects best as a down safety who can also earn his paycheck on special teams.”

Why it makes sense: In the Steelers’ three-safety packages, they prefer one of the defensive backs to be a jack-of-all-trades (i.e., Minkah Fitzpatrick), one to be a deep cover guy (like Damontae Kazee) and one to be an in-the-box guy with physicality. Oladapo fits the description for that third need and would fill the vacancy created by Keanu Neal’s departure. Brugler gave Oladapo a fourth- to fifth-round grade, so getting him in the sixth round would be good value.

Other players to consider: Pitt CB M.J. Devonshire* (fifth- to sixth-round grade), Penn State CB Kalen King* (fifth- to sixth-round grade), Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd* (sixth-round grade), USC WR Tahj Washington* (fifth- to sixth-round grade).

Round 6, pick No. 195: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

About the pick: Jackson was the nose tackle in a four-man front, playing primarily over the A-gap. Brugler said Jackson was drawing early-round draft grades from NFL scouts last summer, but his final season in College Station was uneven, which caused his stock to fall. “Overall, Jackson has a desirable nose tackle body type with his arm length, low center and raw power, but his disjointed hand usage and positional instincts are concerns for his next-level transition,” Brugler writes.

Why it makes sense: The Steelers need to think about the future of the defensive line, as Heyward will play this season at age 35. In Jackson, Pittsburgh would be betting it can get the most out of a player with a good body type and some exciting measurables. Though Jackson won’t be ready right away, the Steelers won’t need him to be. In an ideal world, he’d sit for a season and learn from the coaches and talented players ahead of him.

Other players to consider: Georgia State OT Travis Glover* (sixth- to seventh-round grade), West Virginia CB Beanie Bishop Jr.* (seventh round/priority FA), Miami S/LB James Williams (sixth- to seventh-round grade).

(Photo of Roman Wilson: Matt Krohn / USA Today)