2024 NFL Draft Review: Steelers

 

The summaries are from NFL.com

RD 1 (20) OT Troy Fautanu: Washington  6'4", 317

combine: 5.01s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'5"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12/3rd All-American

strengths: Plays with lateral hustle to make back-side & play-side zone blocks. Generates push from lower half on down blocks and double-teams. Maintains active hands & feet to stay in front of the rusher. Keeps his weight back to avoid being countered off-balance in protection.

weaknesses: Run-blocking technique  eventually gets away from him. Has issues with hand slippage due to inconsistent placement. Gets beaten inside when he's too eager and oversets the edge.

grade: 6.47 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

RD 2 (51) C Zach Frazier: West Virginia  6'3", 313

combine: 30reps

2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American

strengths: Jolting upper-body power helps widen run lanes with down/secure blocks. Drives opposition into the ground with every opportunity he gets. Uses darting eyes & plus instincts to locate pressure points around him. Punches with good placement and above-average grip strength. 

weaknesses: Loses inside hands as a run blocker and ends up with too much hugging. Below-average reactive movement to moving targets in space. Needs to prove he can anchor with more shallow pass sets. Goose could be cooked once the rusher beats him at his edge.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter) 

comp: A.Q. Shipley

RD 3 (84) WR Roman Wilson: Michigan  5'11", 185

combine: 4.39s 40, 12reps

2023: 2nd All-BIG 10, 48rec/789yds/12TDs, 1car/10yds

strengths: Explosive speed to stretch the field and stress coverage. Defenders struggle to stay with him when the play extends. Good post-catch acceleration on west coast routes to hit big plays. Competitive & focused when catches become contested. 

weaknesses: Inconsistent elusiveness to avoid route redirection at press or in space. Routes lack consistent leverage & salesmanship. Needs to get better at quickly setting and presenting on zone throws.

grade: 6.30 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Marvin Mims Jr

RD 3 (98) LB Payton Wilson: North Carolina St  6'4", 233

 

combine: 4.43s 40, 34.5"vert, 9'11"broad jump

2023: Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, ACC DPOY, 1st All-ACC/1st All-American, 138tckls/17.5TFLs, 6scks, 3INTs/6PDs, 1FF, 1TD

strengths: Rangy to find his way into a high number of tackle opportunities. Adequate football intelligence and blocking-scheme recognition. Has the hands & eyes to dart into passing lanes and take the ball away. Burst & lateral agility create blitzing potential for gaming fronts. 

weaknesses: Can be too willing to side-step a block rather than play off of it. Plays too upright and gets knocked off balance too frequently. Has an injury history. Lacks play strength and take-on technique to consistently leverage his gap.

grade: 6.32 (Will eventually become a plus starter) 

RD 4 (119) OG Mason McCormick: South Dakota St  6'4", 309

combine: 5.08s 40, 35.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump

2023: 1st All-MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference)/1st All FCS All-American

strengths: Rare durability. Adequate grip strength to help secure the block. Creates momentum and bangs into opponents on short pulls. Plays with clean eyes & good twist recognition in pass protection. Good upper-body strength to forcibly redirect the rusher on his edge.

weaknesses: Feet are mechanical and lower body is a little too stiff. Poor athleticism reacting to the defender against slants off the snap. Will have a hard time protecting against inside counters. 

grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)

RD 6 (178) DT Logan Lee: Iowa  6'5", 281

combine: 5.05s 40, 31.5"vert, 9'6"broad jump, 25reps

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 55tckls/5.5TFLs, 3scks

strengths: Has enough shed strength to match up as a 3-4 end in the pros. Upper-body power to press & extend at the point of attack. Capable of slipping around blocks from half-man positioning. 

weaknesses: Lacks mass and play strength needed to grapple inside. Doesn't have the foot quickness to create mismatches inside. Gets pushed off his rush track by punch power.

grade: 5.69 (Candidate for the back of the roster or Practice Squad)

RD 6 (195)  CB Ryan Watts: Texas  6'3", 208

combine: 4.53s 40, 40.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

2023: 38tckls/1TFL, 3PDs

strengths: Traits & experience to transition to safety. Capable of lining up over slot TEs. Booming striker one he locks in and hits it downhill. Works around or through blockers with his run support. 

weaknesses: Below-average foot quickness and reactive twitch. Frequently a step slow to turn his head and locate the throw. Questionable deep speed to stay deeper than the deepest.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)