Who might the Steelers target in Round 2 of the NFL Draft?

After months of build-up, scrutiny, speculation and anticipation, just before midnight Thursday evening, the first round of the 2024 NFL draft ended. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first round ended roughly 90 minutes prior.

That began a span of roughly 21½ hours — give or take — in which they could plan for Round 2.

Where might the Steelers go with their second-round pick? Considering they currently don’t own a selection until after 18 other teams, it’s difficult to predict. Moving up higher in the second round could have appeal — especially in light of the fact the depth chart has some dire needs in finding starters.

There is no true center, No. 2 wide receiver or slot/nickel cornerback currently on the team, and outside cornerback and defensive line are considered areas in which an infusion of youth is preferable.

Fautanu measured 6-foot-4, 317 pounds at the NFL Combine. He started 28 games the past two seasons for the Huskies. #NFLDraft https://t.co/HTIscpvJHP

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) April 26, 2024

The Steelers had their choice of centers when they were on the clock at No. 20 overall Thursday but instead opted for sixth offensive tackle taken in Washington’s Troy Fautanu. Six picks later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Duke center Graham Barton.

But Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier remain on the board as the second round begins. Along with Barton, they comprised the consensus “big 3” of centers in this draft. While the Steelers could chance that Frazier will be there at No. 51, odds are against Powers-Johnson falling that far.

Five times since 2017, the Steelers have drafted a wide receiver in the range of selections No. 49-66.

This year, though seven WRs were taken in Round 1, it’s another deep class at the position. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey and Texas’ Adonai Mitchell are two of the consensus top receivers left on most boards — the former a specialist in the slot (a need for the Steelers) and the latter a big-play threat on the outside.

The Steelers also had Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley in for an official visit. The 215-pound Corley is also considered a Round 2-level talent.

At cornerback, Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry was at one point considered worthy of a top-five pick. Iowa big-play artist Cooper DeJean likewise has routinely been listed as a first-round pick in published mock drafts. Each is now a strong candidate to go among the second round’s first 5-10 picks.

Rutgers’ Max Melton is a name to keep in mind. Many project him to play nickel/slot — and he’s been generally considered the highest-rated of any projected to play that position. Notably, the Steelers welcomed him to their facility for an official visit earlier this month.

At defensive tackle, Jer’Zhan Newton of Illinois was expected by many to be a first-round pick. The NFL’s official website cites former Steelers defensive lineman Javon Hargrave as Newton’s player comp, and Newton was a playmaker in college — but it’s unlikely he would fall to the 51st pick, and the Steelers are unlikely to expend additional capital to move up to take a player at a position that is not a urgent need for the upcoming season.

Florida State’s Braden Fiske is a second round-level talent who was hosted by the Steelers for an official visit.