Though it comes as no surprise after an active offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers not projected to receive any compensatory picks for 2024. Over the Cap’s Nick Korte, the leading expert on all things comp-pick related, released his initial projections yesterday. The Steelers did not appear on the list. That’s expected after Pittsburgh signed several players this offseason.
Though Pittsburgh lost CB Cam Sutton, which would’ve qualified them for a third-round selection, it was cancelled out by the team’s several free agent signings. Offensive guard Isaac Seumalo was the biggest, signed to a three-year, $24 million deal to bolster the team’s interior offensive line. Cornerback Patrick Peterson inked a two-year, $14 million deal while the team also added smaller contracts in LB Elandon Roberts, OG Nate Herbig, and SS Keanu Neal.
With all those additions and Sutton being the only substantial loss in the eyes of the compensatory formula, Pittsburgh was never in position to qualify for a compensatory pick. They also will not get one for losing Brian Flores, who left to become the Minnesota Vikings’ DC. Teams only get compensatory picks if minority hires were with their exiting team for at least two years, Flores was in Pittsburgh only for 2022, and picks are only awarded to those hired to become head coaches, general managers, or other top-ranking executives, not to defensive coordinators.
As of right now, Pittsburgh has its standard set of seven draft picks for the 2024 NFL Draft, one each in Rounds 1-7. The 2024 NFL Draft will take place April 25th through the 27th in Detroit, Michigan.
Four teams are projected to receive third-round compensatory picks: Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and San Francisco. Around the AFC North, Baltimore is projected to receive the highest compensatory selection, a 4th rounder for losing OG Ben Powers, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Denver Broncos. The Cincinnati Bengals are projected to receive fifth- and sixth-round picks for Vonn Bell and Hayden Hurst while the Cleveland Browns aren’t projected to receive anything.
