Cricket Phones

PITTSBURGH -- The 2024 NFL draft (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) began April 25 in Detroit. The Pittsburgh Steelers were scheduled to make seven of the draft's 257 picks, spending their first two selections on offensive linemen. 

ESPN will provide pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Steelers' selections as they are made.

A look at each of Pittsburgh's scheduled selections:

My take: The board fell in such a way that the Steelers had their pick of the draft's top centers and cornerbacks, but they opted instead to select an offensive tackle with their first-round pick for the second year in a row. Though his frame suggests he's capable of moving inside, Fautanu is a readymade starter at left tackle. Coach Mike Tomlin said they "legitimately see" Fautanu as a tackle, and he figures to displace current starter Dan Moore Jr., who's started nearly every game at the position since he was drafted in 2021. That would pair him with Broderick Jones at right tackle, last year's first-round pick, who started 11 games a rookie.

Does he have any ties to the Steelers: Not only did the Steelers meet with him at the combine, attend his pro day and host him for a top-30 visit in Pittsburgh, but Fautanu grew up as a massive Steelers fan. He wore No. 43 in high school in honor of the original Pittsburgh Troy: Troy Polamalu, who like Fautanu, is Samoan. Now the two share even more similarities as two Steelers first-round picks.

What we're hearing about Fautanu: "His relationship with the game is a pure one, man. He's a competitor. He loves football, he loves the things that come with football, based on talking to those around him, the preparation things, the training, the practice. He's a black-and-gold type of a guy." -- Mike Tomlin, on what qualities made Fautanu stand out.

My take: The Steelers answered perhaps their most pressing need entering the draft by selecting Frazier, a local product who impressed the Steelers with his consistency and work ethic as a four-year starter at West Virginia. Frazier figures to slot in right away as the Steelers' starting center after the team released two-year starter Mason Cole prior to free agency. Frazier, a two-time All-American, is the second offensive lineman drafted by the Steelers this year and third taken by the team in the first two rounds of the last two drafts, showing the Steelers' commitment to building their offense from the trenches.

What we're hearing about Frazier: "That's who he is, and that's who his résumé is. It wasn't trying to just do some dramatic shot for the camera. I mean that's his history and his body of work. One of the tougher guys I've seen on film. [He] reminds me a lot of [Titans center] Ben Jones -- and that's a real toughness to 'em." -- Steelers OC Arthur Smith on Frazier's bear crawl off the field after fracturing his fibula in his final college game.

My take: After trading away Diontae Johnson, the Steelers needed to replenish the wide receiver room, and they did just that by selecting Wilson -- a versatile threat they hope will extend their streak of drafting solid receivers on Day 2 of the NFL draft. In addition to his speed and ability as a vertical threat, perhaps the most enticing thing about Wilson is his willingness to block, something he showed in Michigan's run-heavy scheme -- and something he'll likely be asked to do frequently in an Arthur Smith offense rooted in a strong run game.

Ties to the Steelers to know: Wilson went to St. Louis High School in Hawaii, the same high school as brothers Nick and Nate Herbig. A year ago, the Steelers drafted ILB Nick and signed OL Nate in free agency. Wilson said he and Nick, the younger Herbig, were in the same grade, good friends and grew up playing on the same teams.

My take: The Steelers turned the pick acquired from the Eagles for QB Kenny Pickett into Wilson, adding a speedy defender to a position group they already addressed in free agency by signing Patrick Queen. Though he was healthy and wildly productive the last two seasons with four interceptions, a pick-6 and 221 total tackles, Wilson has an extensive injury history that makes him a high-risk, high-reward type of pick. He's torn two ACLs and had a shoulder injury that kept him out of all but two games in 2021. Still, his speed and productivity in coverage figure to make him a great partner to Queen -- and a solid addition with Cole Holcomb still recovering from last year's significant, season-ending knee injury.

Ties to the Steelers to know: It's not so much a tie to the Steelers as it is a tie to Pittsburgh, but Wilson's older brother Bryse pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2021-22 and used to live in the city's Strip District. The younger Wilson said he's been to the city a couple times and attended games and was very familiar with Pittsburgh's rabid sports culture.

What's next: The Steelers have been patient and methodical in addressing their most pressing needs, not trading up in the first two rounds and still landing four high-value players at OT, C, WR and ILB. Left to address is cornerback and defensive line. Among their pre-draft visitors still on the board Pitt CB M.J. Devonshire, Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd and Mississippi State DT Jaden Crumedy.