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McCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Mock Draft (Final Version)

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2024

McCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Mock Draft (Final Version)

With just four days until the 2024 NFL Draft, it is time for my second and final version of a Pittsburgh Steelers all-round mock draft. This is what I think the Steelers will do, and not necessarily what I would do. These picks will be the culmination of everything we have learned about the team’s interests over the pre-draft process, taking into account positions of need, pre-draft visitors, pro day tracking, combine meetings, all-star game interest, and more. Check out my last mock draft 1.0 from last month.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

ROUND ONE – 20TH OVERALL: AMARIUS MIMS/OT GEORGIA – 6076, 340 LBS

Analysis: To me, the first pick is between center and tackle. Center doesn’t present as much value, and there are better talents later in the draft at center than there are at right tackle. Mims doesn’t have much experience, but it is not like his tape was overly unrefined. His size, athleticism, and overall potential are too much to pass up on, and it would allow Broderick Jones to flip back over to the left side. He is close with Jones and Darnell Washington from Georgia, and they can help him acclimate to Pat Meyer’s OL coaching and the team culture. It would be nice to land Taliese Fuaga or JC Latham as more plug-and-play prospects, but I just don’t think they will be available.

Others Considered: C Graham Barton – Duke, OT Taliese Fuaga – Oregon State

Last Mock: Amarius Mims

Amarius Mims Scouting Report

ROUND TWO – 51ST OVERALL: ROMAN WILSON/WR MICHIGAN – 5106, 185 LBS

Analysis: The Steelers need a wide receiver who can get open reliably and help move the chains. They have the deep threats in George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, so Wilson’s route running abilities would be helpful in replacing Diontae Johnson’s skill set. The interest started at the Senior Bowl where Mike Tomlin praised him as a top receiver at the event. He is also a willing and capable blocker, which can help the Steelers run-first offense. There was a large contingent at his pro day, though he didn’t have a pre-draft visit. With the top three centers off the board, receiver is the best route to go in round two.

Others Considered: CB Andru Phillips – Kentucky, WR Ricky Pearsall – Florida

Last Mock: Zach Frazier

Roman Wilson Scouting Report

ROUND THREE – 84TH OVERALL: MAX MELTON/CB RUTGERS – 5111, 187 LBS

Analysis: The Steelers have needed a young long-term option at slot cornerback for a long time. It has become an increasingly important position in the NFL, and Melton is physical, ball hawking, and had tons of experience on special teams. He came in for a pre-draft visit, and had a great workout at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.39-second 40-yard dash will add much-needed speed to the secondary.

Others Considered: WR Jalen McMillan – Washington, DL Maason Smith – LSU

Last Mock: Malachi Corley

Max Melton Scouting Report

ROUND THREE – 98TH OVERALL: CEDRIC GRAY/LB UNC – 6014, 234 LBS

Analysis: It seems inevitable that the Steelers will draft an inside linebacker at some point with Cole Holcomb’s status still up in the air. They don’t want to get into another situation like 2023, running razor thin at the position. ILB coach Aaron Curry was at his pro day along with VP of player personnel Dan Rooney Jr. He has a nose for the football and his aggressive demeanor will fit well in the AFC North. He won’t have to start right away with Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts around, but he can play snaps in a rotational role while earning his keep on special teams.

Others Considered: C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger – Georgia, ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson

Last Mock: Max Melton

Cedric Gray Scouting Report

ROUND FOUR – 119TH OVERALL: MASON MCCORMICK/iOL SOUTH DAKOTA STATE – 6042, 309 LBS

Analysis: Yes, this is later than most will want to see the center position addressed, but unless you want to spend the first round pick on a center it is unlikely they land one of the top three without a trade, and the Steelers have too many positions to address to part ways with draft capital in a trade. They have brought in multiple position-versatile prospects like Troy Fautanu, Graham Barton, and McCormick, so I think that trait in particular is attractive to the team. He played more guard than center at South Dakota State, but projects well at center. He has the body type to kick out to guard next year with James Daniels scheduled to become a free agent and Isaac Seumalo on the wrong side of 30 years old, but he has a chance to become the starter midway through the season at center as a rookie. OL guru Duke Manyweather called him a top sleeper in the draft.

Others Considered: C Hunter Nourzad – Penn State, CB Cam Hart – Notre Dame

Last Mock: McKinnley Jackson

Mason McCormick Scouting Report

ROUND SIX – 178TH OVERALL: JADEN CRUMEDY/DL MISSISSIPPI STATE – 6037, 301 LBS

Analysis: I would have liked to address the defensive line earlier, but the prospects that fit the Steelers’ type at DL should already be off the board before the value is any good with a thin DL class overall. The Steelers brought Crumedy in for a pre-draft visit, so he feels like a good late-round target to develop. He was just one box away on Alex Kozora’s DL draft study based on team draft history under Mike Tomlin.

Others Considered: DL Khristian Boyd – Northern Iowa, ILB Steele Chambers – Ohio State

Last Mock: Jaheim Bell

Jaden Crumedy Scouting Report

ROUND SIX – 195TH OVERALL: CHIGOZIE ANUSIEM/CB COLORADO STATE – 6011, 200 LBS

Analysis: If the Steelers double dip at a position, it is likely to be at cornerback. They could always bring Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, or both back after the draft, but additional youth is needed. They also need some gunners on special teams, and Anusiem has the right athletic profile to provide that service. He projects as more of a press-man corner, which could fit well with what the Steelers want to do with Porter on the other side. He also has good length to fit in with what GM Omar Khan did last year in the draft.

Others Considered: DE Eric Watts – UCONN, OL Travis Glover – Georgia State

Last Mock: Eric Watts

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Silovs makes 22 saves, Penguins shut out Golden Knights | NHL.com

Published

30 minutes ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Silovs makes 22 saves, Penguins shut out Golden Knights | NHL.com

Vegas allowed two power-play goals on Pittsburgh’s four chances after giving up one on 12 opportunities the previous four games.

“I think we just had poor execution all game long,” Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith said. “Obviously, our penalty kill has been pretty good for us and that wasn’t good enough tonight.”

Rickard Rakell pushed it to 4-0 on another power play at 15:06, stopping a shot from Karlsson with his left skate and wrapping a shot around Hill.

Brazeau scored on a wrist shot from above the right circle at 14:59 of the third period for the 5-0 final.

“Second period, they took it to us,” McNabb said. “We were out of it, basically.”

NOTES: With goals from Kindel, Chinakhov and Brazeau, the Penguins have 73 goals by players in their first season with the team. It’s the most in the NHL this season and 13 more than the next closest (the Anaheim Ducks, 59). … The Golden Knights have been outscored 9-1 in the first and second periods of their first three games out of the break for the Olympics. … Karlsson has 908 points (204 goals, 704 assists), tied with Scott Stevens (908 points; 196 goals, 712 assists) for the 13th-most by a defenseman in League history. … Vegas forward Mitch Marner had a point streak end at six games (seven points; four goals, three assists).

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Pittsburgh and Vegas take the ice for non-conference matchup

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh and Vegas take the ice for non-conference matchup

Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-14, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-13, in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -149, Penguins +125; over/under is 6.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights square off in a non-conference matchup.

Pittsburgh has a 14-8-7 record at home and a 30-15-13 record overall. The Penguins have scored 197 total goals (3.4 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play.

Vegas is 28-17-14 overall and 14-9-7 in road games. The Golden Knights are 27-6-8 in games they score at least three goals.

Sunday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Mantha has 21 goals and 23 assists for the Penguins. Benjamin Kindel has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.

Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev has seven goals and three assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 7-1-2, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.1 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.

Golden Knights: 4-4-2, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: None listed.

Golden Knights: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Oneil Cruz Powers Pirates Past Astros

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.

Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.

That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.

Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.

Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros

Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.

Sep 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (67) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.

Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.

The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.

Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.

Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.

He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.

Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.

He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.

Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.

Feb 23, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) throws a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.

Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory

The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.

Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.

The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

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