Despite having the 20th overall pick in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers have an endless array of options. There are still holes all over the roster, and there are many options to fill each of them. With many months of endlessly scouting college players and watching game film, teams could overthink everything and reach for someone that they didn't want in the first place. The Steelers have fallen for that issue before, and they have been advised to avoid that again. They need to just take the obvious option.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
Bleacher Report suggested players that every team needs to avoid. For the Steelers section, Alex Ballentine talked about how they need to focus on the pressing needs they have now, and not "drink the Kool-Aid."
"The Steelers were 10th in passer rating allowed last season with a combination of [Joey Jr.] Porter, Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace manning the cornerback spots. Meanwhile, the offense was 28th in scoring and 23rd in EPA per play, in part because their offensive line wasn't up to snuff. The Steelers could stand to add upgrades at both left tackle and center. Given the quality of this draft class at both positions, it would be bad resource management to pass on someone like Amarius Mims or even Jackson Powers-Johnson in favor of [Ga'Quincy Kool-Aid] McKinstry."
The Steelers' need at center has been well-documented after they cut Mason Cole, but failed to sign any of the big-name centers in free agency. They are three different options for them in the first or second round, and that needs to be their priority. The center position has not been the same since Maurkice Pouncey retired. They need to find their new anchor before they draft another cornerback.
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Former University of Washington offensive tackle gets ready to block on the right side of the line during a collegiate football matchup.
If they don't want to draft a center in the first round, they can still beef up the offensive line and get a high-end tackle prospect, including Broderick Jones' former teammate from the Georgia Bulldogs: Amarius Mims. The offensive line is still being rebuilt, and Andy Weidl is known for prioritizing the offensive line. They could easily target the best offensive lineman available.
Why Would Steelers Want To Draft Ga-Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry?
The Steelers already traded for Donte Jackson to try to fix the cornerback core, but he is a free agent after the 2024 season. He will also be 30 years old, so the Steelers most likely won't give him a lucrative extension after the season ends. Outside cornerback could become a need in 2025, since Joey Porter Jr. can't do it all by himself.
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Steelers could select Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but should they?
The Steelers like to keep rookies as backups for as long as they can, so they could draft Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry to sit and develop behind Jackson to limit the snaps he gets in his first year in the NFL. He would likely get the starting nod in 2025 when Jackson leaves in free agency. McKinstry and Porter could become an elite cornerback duo for the next decade if the Steelers do draft the Alabama product. It would certainly make sense, but it is a deep class.
While that cornerback duo would be nice, the Steelers need to address other positions first. Upgrading the offensive line is the key to boosting their offense, no matter which quarterback is playing. They need to find their new franchise center at some point time, and this draft might be the best draft to find that key piece. The draft is loaded with cornerback talent. If the Steelers do want to find their future cornerback, they can draft a project corner after their major needs have been addressed.
What do you think about Pittsburgh being advised to not draft McKinstry? Who should the Steelers draft in the first round? Let us know in the comments.
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