In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers traded up, and in his most recent mock draft, Josh Edwards
of CBS Sports thinks they might do it again this year.
Although Edwards believes Pittsburgh may work out a trade with the Seahawks for their No. 16 pick in the 2024
NFL Draft, the team currently controls the No. 20 pick. The Steelers will then select offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga
of Oregon State with that pick.
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Pittsburgh used a similar route the previous season, selecting Georgia’s Broderick Jones over the tackle-hungry
New York Jets. To move up three spots, the Steelers exchanged their first- and fourth-round picks in 2023.
The club might do the same again to vault its tackle-hungry division foe and go up four spots. In addition,
Pittsburgh has two fourth-round picks in this year’s draft because of a trade it made before the season began with
the Rams to send guard Kevin Dotson to Los Angeles.
After failing to allow a sack on 339 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, Fuaga ranks as the third-best offensive tackle and
No. 12 overall offensive tackle on Pro Football Focus’ big board, making him a potential trade-up candidate. After
failing to allow a sack on 339 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, Fuaga ranks as the third-best offensive tackle and No.
12 overall offensive tackle on Pro Football Focus’ big board, making him a potential trade-up candidate.
Throughout his undergraduate career, the mammoth 6-foot-6, 334-pound bodyguard has mostly played right
tackle. Jones’ return to his natural position of left tackle would allow him to demote incumbent Dan Moore Jr.,
who allowed eight sacks in 2023, according to PFF.
Edwards believes Seattle will sign Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton to bolster its defense, which
allowed the third-highest total yards per game (371.4) in 2023.
The Seahawks could take a similar contract to what the Patriots did last year, which would secure the offensive
line for many years to come, and the Steelers could avoid missing out on getting a great offensive tackle like
Fuaga.
