Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Pittsburgh Steelers trade up in the NFL draft for a Georgia offensive tackle.
If it sounds familiar, it’s because it should. In 2023, the Steelers traded up from No. 17 to 14 to select Georgia tackle Broderick Jones. So far, so good on early returns.
The Steelers are projected to send No. 20 and No. 84 to the Seahawks for No. 16 and No. 151 in the latest mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. The NFL draft analyst has Pittsburgh selecting Amarius Mims at 20 overall.
“Déjà vu here with the Steelers trading up in Round 1 for a Georgia offensive tackle,” Brugler wrote.
“At 6-8, 340, Mims is the most fascinating player in the draft because of his special traits. The body of work (eight starts) might not be there, but if he had a deeper resume, a team like the Steelers wouldn’t have a shot to get him this late.”
Pittsburgh selecting Mims, no matter in what order, would allow Jones to return to his natural left tackle position, which Omar Khan alluded to happening — eventually. Knowing the Steelers, however, it’ll take an injury or subpar performances for Mims to be plugged into the starting lineup. Unless they’re wise and start offseason training with Jones at left and Mims at right. That would mean trading Dan Moore Jr. for future draft capital or relegating him to reserves.
But let’s not put the cart before the (6-feet-8) horse. The Steelers have to draft him first.
Saying it again: Amarius Mims is the most fascinating player in the draft.
Special movement skills for 6-8, 340 pounds (with 36-inch arms) https://t.co/4Oh8qS1G8K
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 3, 2024
