The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line heavy 2024 NFL Draft is earning its praise from all around the media landscape. Pro Football Focus lauded the haul, giving Pittsburgh an A+, while Mel Kiper largely backed that up with an A- grade. However, they were not the only ones to love the picks.
Rene Bugner compiled a cumulative draft GPA from 20 different experts who graded the draft, and Pittsburgh earned the highest GPA from all 20 outlets. The lowest grade they received was a simple B, but most experts gave them an A grade, with multiple A-pluses sprinkled throughout there.
🏈🧑🏻🎓 I´ve compiled 20 evaluations of the 2024 NFL draft and totaled the team grades.
Here is the spreadsheet. Sorted by GPA for all 32 teams.
I also sorted the 20 evaluations by GPA. From left (soft graders) to right (hard graders).
Thanks to all who give out grades every year! pic.twitter.com/53EozhxKQT— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) April 28, 2024
But it’s not just the experts who loved the draft. Mike Sando of the Athletic polled some NFL executives, and Pittsburgh earned some of the highest marks and praise from around the league for their picks up and down the board.
“Fautanu was one of my favorite players in the entire draft,” an executive told Sando. “Personality, work ethic, skill set, versatility — he has it all. The second-round pick (Zach Frazier) fits their brand for toughness — four-time state wrestling champ. And then they got the best off-ball coverage linebacker in the draft if Payton Wilson can stay healthy.”
PFF categorized Zach Frazier and Roman Wilson as “elite” picks. Following Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson, and Payton Wilson through first two days, which racked up huge value throughout those first three rounds, the Steelers continued to bolster the offensive line on Day 3 by selecting South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick, the third offensive lineman in their first five picks. Since 2022, McCormick has earned a 90.3 PFF grade, the best among all draft-eligible FBS guards. With their last two picks, the Steelers scooped up Iowa interior defensive lineman Logan Lee and Texas cornerback Ryan Watts.
Regarding Watts, PFF said he allowed just one touchdown from 267 coverage snaps and brings the physicality Steelers fans will love. Watts put up an 84.9 run-defense grade over the last two years, second among Big 12 cornerbacks. Overall, Pittsburgh addressed a huge need, the offensive line, and are well on their way to completing a strong offseason. Wide receiver and slot cornerback remain questions for them as well.
Over the last two offseason, the Steelers have signed and/or traded for linebacker Kwon Alexander, tackle Dylan Cook, tackle Jesse Davis, safety Terrell Edmunds, outside linebacker Marcus Golden, safety Damontae Kazee, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and slot cornerback Chandon Sullivan between the end of the draft and the start of the preseason. So, expect the team to continue to bolster this group before the season starts.
After restructuring Alex Highsmith’s deal last week, the Steelers have plenty of salary cap space. So, if you’re still seeing big holes in the team’s offseason depth chart, don’t fret. The Khan Artist is still at work.