Ray Fittipaldo's Final 7-Round Steelers Mock Draft: Decoding the First Draft of the Arthur Smith Era

With a new head coach in Arthur Smith now calling the shots in Pittsburgh, the 2024 NFL Draft takes on added significance for the Steelers. General manager Omar Khan and his staff must balance immediate needs with long-term roster building as the franchise enters a new chapter.

Ray Fittipaldo, who has covered the Steelers for decades, has released his final seven-round mock draft, attempting to read the tea leaves of what direction Pittsburgh will go under its new coaching staff. The picks reflect both the team's glaring needs and the stylistic preferences Smith is expected to bring from his offensive background.

On offense, the Steelers are widely expected to address the quarterback position at some point, though whether that happens early or late in the draft remains a key question. Smith's history of building physical, run-first offenses suggests Pittsburgh could also look to bolster its offensive line and backfield depth in the middle rounds.

Defensively, the Steelers remain a strong unit but have areas that need reinforcement, particularly in the secondary and along the defensive line. The mock draft reflects a balanced approach, with Pittsburgh targeting players who fit the tough, blue-collar identity the franchise has long prized.

Special teams and depth picks round out the later rounds of the mock, with Fittipaldo identifying several under-the-radar prospects who could contribute immediately on coverage units before developing into rotational players.

As with any mock draft, the actual results on draft weekend will hinge on trade activity, surprising early selections by other teams, and last-minute board shuffles. What this exercise does offer is a well-informed glimpse into how the Steelers might approach one of the most pivotal drafts of the post-Mike Tomlin offensive rebuild era.