Could Steelers select two former Pitt stars in 2024 NFL Draft?

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back M.J. Devonshire.

The Steelers still have a few holes on offense and defense following the first few waves of free agency. Could they fill a couple of them with former Pitt Panthers?

Pittsburgh is reportedly interested in former Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves and cornerback M.J. Devonshire as the team is hosting both for a pre-draft visit.

Goncalves spent five seasons playing for Pitt and if it weren’t for a toe injury that shut down his senior year after just three games, he may be viewed as one of the top tackles in the draft class.

However, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman currently ranks as the 15th-best offensive tackle and No. 110 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus’ big board.

The Steelers need to add a tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft with Dan Moore Jr. heading into the final year of his rookie deal and many hoping Broderick Jones, Pittsburgh’s 2023 first-round pick, moves back to left tackle next season.

Goncalves would allow exactly that with experience at left and right tackle. Of course, his health is the main question, but if the Steelers are happy with his medicals, it would not be surprising if they used their fourth-round pick (No. 117) on him.

Devonshire, on the other hand, has been healthy and productive during his collegiate career. During the past two seasons, he had 66 tackles, seven interceptions (three for touchdowns) and 18 passes defensed.

Surprisingly, he ranks as the 29th-best cornerback and No. 198 overall prospect on PFF’s big board. But Pittsburgh could be the biggest benefactor with the opportunity to land him with one of its two sixth-round picks (Nos. 178 and 195).

The Steelers need to add to their cornerback room. They traded for Panthers’ Donte Jackson this offseason to pair with Joey Porter Jr., the No. 32 overall pick in 2023, but there isn’t much depth behind them.

Devonshire played almost exclusively outside cornerback at Pitt but could play either inside or outside in the NFL with his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame.

Pittsburgh may have learned its lesson after drafting former Pitt QB Kenny Pickett, who has since been traded to the Eagles, with its first-round pick in 2022. However, Goncalves and Devonshire would fill a couple of the Steelers’ needs and come at a much lower price in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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