Steelers Projected to ‘Be Aggressive,’ Trade Up to Fill Need in First Round
The Pittsburgh Steelers have two obvious holes at wide receiver and center in the starting lineup on offense. But CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards predicted the Steelers to repeat the same first-round strategy they had last year — trade up for an offensive tackle, Alabama’s JC Latham.
Edwards proposed the Steelers move up from No. 20 to 15th overall in the first round to select Latham.
“If Pittsburgh wants an offensive tackle, then it may choose to be aggressive in filling that need in the first round,” Edwards wrote. “The selection of J.C. Latham would allow Broderick Jones to move back to the left side.
“The Steelers could really lean on the run game with that offensive line.”
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 360 pounds, Latham is a massive offensive tackle prospect. With Latham at right tackle and 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones flipped back to left tackle, the Steelers could have their starting tackle spots locked down for the foreseeable future.
The Steelers traded up from No. 17 to 14 to nab Jones in the 2023 first round. Jones started 11 games at right tackle with Dan Moore Jr. remaining at left tackle last season.
Could Steelers Trade Up for Alabama’s JC Latham?
Edwards isn’t the first to suggest the Steelers move up for Latham. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings proposed the Steelers leap to No. 17 to grab Latham in a mock draft on February 17.
Cummings estimated that a trade up three spots would cost the Steelers the No. 84 overall selection and a 2025 fourth-round pick. In Cummings’ proposed deal, the Steelers also received a 2025 sixth-rounder.
Edwards is no stranger to Steelers trade up proposals. In his mock draft on February 18, the Steelers jumped to No. 16 for Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga.
