The Pittsburgh Steelers are rolling through the 2024 offseason. With free agency greatly affecting roster construction, it will be followed by the NFL draft in April. For the Steelers, the events since the beginning of the league year have changed their draft needs multiple times. With player pro days and team visits coming to a conclusion, team’s big boards will enter the last stages of finalization before the draft.

When talking about mock drafts or NFL free agency, one first has to first identify the team’s main needs for the offseason. Before any gains or losses in free agency, there are some who wanted to see the Steelers go with either offensive line or defensive line with their first-round pick. Others feel wide receiver or cornerback now could be on top of the list. With the opportunity for the Steelers to shape their roster prior to the draft, their goal is usually to get into position to draft the best player available rather than target a specific position. When it comes to what position the team will select with their first pick, it is certainly up for debate.

In a recent two-round mock draft by phinphanatic.com (yes, I was desperate to find a player who hadn’t been covered yet), they have the Steelers addressing right tackle before anything else. Despite other team needs, the Steelers have been in the market for another upgrade at tackle this season. Since the Steelers could go in any number of directions with their first selection, it is important to look at all the possibilities presented by various mock draft outlets.

Check out the Steelers 20th pick:

20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Tyler Guyton | OT | Oklahoma | JR |

Even as the draft process rolls on, there may be some players most fans are not familiar with. If this is the case, here is a breakdown of Guyton according to thedraftnetwork.com:

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Size:

• Height: 6’8”
• Weight: 322 pounds
• Arm Length: 34 1/8″
• Hand Size: 10 1/4″

Accomplishments: 

• All-Big 12 honorable mention (2023)

Strengths:

• Athleticism
• Explosiveness off line of scrimmage
• Heavy hands
• ID stunts/twists
• Balance

Concerns:

• Speed vs. outside shoulder
• Hand counters
• Exposed chest in pass pro

Film Analysis: 

A former H-back at TCU before making the transfer to right tackle, Tyler Guyton is one of the premier athletes at the tackle spot in the 2024 class. An elite mover with an extremely gifted athletic profile, he glides in space and touts one of the most explosive lower halves in the country. 

In pass pro, Guyton’s footwork allows him to consistently square up opposing pass rushers. Will rarely have to reset feet to adjust to opposing pass-rush plans. Active hands to win first and touts the necessary grip strength to stop opposing defenders in an instant. Once hands are latched, the rep is usually over. Showcases an outstanding base and anchoring vs power is an easy operation. Rarely caught retracing steps to locate stunts.

As a run blocker, Guyton fires off the line of scrimmage and is quick to out-leverage defenders. Easy displacement ability with power that stems from a strong lower half. Would like to see an increased usage of length, however, to consistently move bodies away from alleys. Will at times attack a block with body weight instead of technique and power. As a puller, Guyton showcases quick footwork to work around the edges of the line of scrimmage. Athleticism showcases itself on the fringe areas and when asked to climb to the second level where linebackers are often met before being able to attack their run fit.

Primary concerns remain regarding countering speed against his outside shoulder (OK State). Can often protect against inside moves too much at times, leaving a runway at the high arc of a rush. Has the kick-slide to work back out, but quicker pass rushers at the next level could cause issues if the correct depth isn’t reached consistently. Will play with a high chest at times in the run game, where an immense amount of surface area can be attacked, and thus, out-leveraged at the point of attack.

Overall, Guyton is an impressive prospect at the tackle position whose athletic profile and refined technique in pass pro present a high-ceiling athlete in the 2024 class. 

Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber

For all you who are preparing yourself for the draft, what do you think of the selection? Would you be on board with the Steelers taking Tyler Guyton with their first pick? Or do you feel there is a better player at this position, a different one who may still be available, or that Guyton will not make it to the 20th pick? Personally, my thoughts on Guyton fall in line with writing this final Mock Draft Monday for the 2024 offseason. There were no other options that hadn’t been covered, so Guyton seemed to be the only one left to go with. With not a lot of experience at the position, it is a gamble that likely wouldn’t be great at pick number 20. Yes, Amarius Mims has even fewer starts at tackle than Guyton, but his measurables are more off the charts to where there could be more upside. The bottom line is I hope the Steelers have better options at any position, let alone tackle, when they are on the clock at pick 20 (assuming that is where they are).