The Pittsburgh Steelers have two clear gaps at wide receiver and center in the starting lineup on offense. But CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards predicted the Steelers to follow the same first-round strategy they had last year — trade up for an offensive tackle, Alabama’s JC Latham.
Edwards suggested the Steelers move up from No. 20 to 15th overall in the first round to pick Latham.
“If Pittsburgh wants an offensive tackle, then they may choose to be aggressive in addressing that need in the first round,” Edwards said. “The selection of J.C. Latham would allow Broderick Jones to move back to the left side.
“The Steelers could really rely 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 grab 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.
Bleacher Report’s consensus draft rankings have Latham rated the No. 13 prospect in the 2024 draft class. Based on that ranking, the Steelers will have to trade up to at least No. 16 to land him.
The ESPN draft class rankings, though, have Latham at No. 17 while Pro Football Focus rated the Alabama offensive tackle at No. 21. So, if Latham is the preferred target, general manager Omar Khan may have to wait and see how the draft board unfolds before spending the draft capital to move up.
But there’s little doubt that Latham could provide a big boost to the Steelers offensive line, especially in the run game.
“Bulldozer in human form with the upper- and lower-body power to forcibly clear run lanes and instantly upgrade a team’s ground attack,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard.”
In Pittsburgh, Latham would play right tackle.
Will the Steelers Be Forced to Take Either a Center or Wide Receiver on Day 1?
A month ago, it made a lot of sense for the Steelers to be a trade up candidate for an offensive tackle. However, things have changed.
On February 23, the Steelers released starting center Mason Cole. Then on March 12, they traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson.
Both positions are still unoccupied.
Ideally, the Steelers will improve their tackle position in the NFL draft. Khan clearly stated at the NFL combine that Jones will switch to left tackle in the future. Therefore, the most reasonable addition the Steelers can make at tackle is on the right side.
Pittsburgh might still acquire a starting center or wide receiver in free agency. However, currently, the Steelers need to fill one of those starting positions in the first round.
If they don’t, it’s difficult to imagine Khan giving up draft assets to focus on a different position. If the Steelers don’t pick a wide receiver or center in the first round, they will have to use Day 2 picks to address those needs.
Latham could be a good match for Pittsburgh. However, for the Steelers to be confident enough to move up and draft him, they will probably need to address their other more pressing needs first.
