Steelers' Russell Wilson Tabbed As Big Winner Of 2024 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers helped to bolster their lineup with talent during the 2024 NFL Draft. The team's class, which included three offensive linemen, is already being touted by analysts as a top haul for the franchise. Highlighted by 20th overall selection Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh added some talented players to the mix at positions of need. According to CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson, the franchise's new starting quarterback, Russell Wilson, will be the biggest beneficiary. 

Wilson's tenure with the Denver Broncos wasn't filled with the winning he and others envisioned when the team paid big to get him from the Seattle Seahawks. His first season under Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett was an unmitigated disaster. It got better with Sean Payton, but the veteran Super Bowl-winning quarterback was still benched when it was apparent that the Broncos would be cutting ties with him. Wilson, the analyst, said it was about time Wilson got a win like this. 

"They boost the offensive line," he said. "They bring in Arthur Smith. They add a slot receiver and they get some help on defense."

Pittsburgh added one tackle with immense promise in 2023, with its first-round pick Broderick Jones. Now, they hope Fautanu can be the other bookend for the foreseeable future. Which sides they play is still to be determined. After a season of inconsistent play, Mason Cole found himself out of a job after the end of the 2023 season. It left Pittsburgh with a pretty big hole in the middle of their line that they filled in the second round with the selection of Zach Frazier.

The team added former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round. He models his game after one of Wilson's favorite targets in Seattle, Tyler Lockett. He also has experience with the Wolverines playing in an offensive system that predicated itself on the run game like Pittsburgh wants to. The team needed another pass-catcher after dealing Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, and Wilson should be able to come in and make an instant impact. 

To round out the additions on offense, the team added former South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick. The team didn't have an immediate need for the position, with starters Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels returning. Seumalo will be 31 in October, and Daniels is entering the final year of his deal. McCormick will likely be on the bench mostly in 2024 but could start seeing the field more in 2025. 

On the defensive side, Pittsburgh added inside linebacker Payton Wilson, defensive lineman Logan Lee, and defensive back Ryan Watts. Wilson is touted as the best linebacker in the 2024 class but fell to the Steelers due to medical concerns. Lee's versatility across the line is what attracted the team to him. Watts fits the profile of what Pittsburgh has been looking for in defensive backs and could figure in on special teams. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Has All The Pressure In 2024

When Steelers President Art Rooney II proclaimed that he wanted to win now, it set the team up for an interesting offseason. After years of failing to win a playoff game, Pittsburgh took an aggressive approach to retooling the roster. It started with getting a veteran Super Bowl-winning quarterback, who was available for pennies on the dollar.  

After two seasons of not reaching the heights he is used to, Wilson jumps to a Pittsburgh team that is trying to set up everything perfectly for him. His success in Seattle stemmed from the team having a top defensive unit and a strong running game, which allowed Wilson to take shots down the field on play-action. Analyst Wilson said that if things go south for quarterback Wilson on his third NFL team in four years, then it's time he looked in the mirror at who is to blame.

"I think this is the best-case scenario for Russell Wilson to have success," he said. "If this doesn't work out for Russ, then I don't think there is anyone left to blame."  

Pittsburgh is betting on Wilson just as much as he is in them. The organization pushed its chips in with the improvements in the draft, now it's on Wilson to deliver when the season starts. 

Do you agree that Russell Wilson is a big winner of the 2024 NFL Draft?