With ten days until the NFL draft’s first round on April 25, lead draft analysts on ESPN predict the Steelers will select players based mostly on their offensive line in the first two rounds.
Field Yates predicts that the Steelers will choose Duke center Graham Barton with the 20th overall choice in his most recent mock draft alongside Mel Kiper, which was conducted on April 15.
Following the release of Mason Cole, the team’s starting center for the previous two seasons, on February 23, center continues to be one of the Steelers’ primary areas of need.
Kiper thinks the Steelers will select Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan with their second-round selection.
Since Diontae Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers on March 12, the Steelers have not yet filled the void in the receivers room.
Yates projects that the Steelers will select Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. in the third round of the NFL as they make a shift to defense.
Discussion Over the Top Center in the Draft Continues
Yates will have passed up Oregon product Jackson Powers-Johnson if the Steelers select Barton as their new center in the first round of the draft.
The Rimington Award for the greatest center in college football was just given to Powers-Johnson. He is regarded by some pundits as the best center in the draft, but scouts are starting to grow less enthusiastic about him as a high first-round pick, according to an ESPN story from March 29.
Yates projects that the Las Vegas Raiders will choose Powers-Johnson with the 44th overall choice in the second round of his mock draft.
Barton is the more seasoned choice amongst the two. While Powers-Johnson only has 17 collegiate starts, Barton has 39, with the majority of those coming at left tackle.
For the majority of his career, Powers-Johnson moved along the offensive line as well, but in 2023, he started 13 games at center.
Yates noted, “Barton is the best in the entire class, and the Steelers still need a center.” Prior to switching to left tackle for his final three seasons, he played center for the Blue Devils as a true freshman. His dexterity, footwork, and perseverance are all noteworthy.
Barton did not visit the Steelers, but Powers-Johnson did, according to CBS Sports, which collated reported pre-draft visits for all 32 teams. But according to SteelersNow, Barton met with the Steelers in person during the 2024 NFL Combine.
McMillan anticipated making a quick contribution
There isn’t a clear number two receiver for the Steelers going into the draft since George Pickens is predicted to take over as their top target in 2024.
Kiper claims that McMillan, the 51st overall selection, might be able to fulfill that position.
