Ryan Clark With some harsh criticism of former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett

Despite their need for a starting wide receiver across from George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly looking to solidify the trenches early in the 2024 NFL draft.

According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, a team source recently said, “I can’t tell you the player, but I can tell you it’ll be an offensive lineman,” regarding the Steelers’ No. 20 overall pick.

While wide receiver is a need after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, Miller noted that he gets the sense the Steelers believe they are “elite” at identifying and drafting quality wide receivers outside the first round.

It is difficult to argue with that assessment since Pickens was a second-round pick and Johnson was a third-round pick. Dating back even further, the Steelers found Hines Ward in the third round, Antonio Brown in the sixth round, Mike Wallace in the third round and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor acknowledged that wideout could be an option for Pittsburgh at No. 20, but she also noted that the Steelers have a significant hole at center after releasing Mason Cole.

That could make Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia center Zach Frazier compelling possibilities in the first round.

Miller mentioned the possibility of the Steelers taking a plug-and-play right tackle so that 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones can move to his more natural position of left tackle.

The 2024 draft class is stacked with quality offensive tackles, and while Miller named Georgia’s Amarius Mims and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton as possible targets, Alabama’s JC Latham and Arizona’s Jordan Morgan could also be there at No. 20.

Regardless of whether the Steelers go receiver or offensive line in the first round, it seems clear that helping out newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson is at the top of their agenda.