Pittsburgh — During the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have a new name to look out for. As they attempt to replace Mason Cole, Duke’s Graham Barton may be on their radar as a first-round choice.

Arthur Smith, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, was in attendance for Barton’s excellent Pro Day, which is expected to make him the next NFL candidate to emerge from Duke. During the Pro Day, Barton ran a 4.94 40-yard sprint and a 4.54 20-yard shuttle. He was predicted to be drafted in the late first or second round. It looks that he will be drafted in the first round.

The Steelers will most likely have three top centre choices in the NFL Draft. They may go with Barton or look at adding Jackson Powers-Johnson or Zach Frazier. They’ve attended Duke’s and Oregon’s Pro Days, and Frazier is anticipated to come in for a local pre-draft visit.

Throughout the offseason, the team touted Nate Herbig as a centre possibility, but now that Cole has been released, they will most likely add to the group before summer. General manager Omar Khan stated that all alternatives remain on the table, including free agents, draftees, and a potential trade. Most likely, the franchise sees the NFL Draft as their greatest chance to obtain a star.

Don’t dismiss the prospect of Barton being the team’s first-round choice. And if he’s at No. 20, regardless of who else is on the board, he may be their pick.