Mark Lohn’s 2023 3-Round Steelers Mock Draft: Defense Heavy
Well, Steelers fans, here we are less than a week from the springtime Christmas event known as the NFL Draft.
Back in 2007, I called the Steelers’ first-round pick correctly. I knew it was going to be Lawrence Timmons: and I was right. Since then I have gotten all of them wrong!
No, Bill Tobin has never said “Who the hell is Mark Lohn?”, but maybe someday he will! So in this mock draft, I do not make trades and I stick to the current picks.
We are the blind leading the blind because we have no idea how Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are going to play their hand with their first draft as the general managers of the Steelers. However, I do believe they will stick to the Steeler tradition of selecting the “best player available” if the player fills a need.
First Round (17): Deonte Banks – Cornerback (Maryland)
I know, I know. This isn’t what everyone else thinks, that Pittsburgh will draft an offensive tackle or Joey Porter Jr. at this spot.
I will not select a tackle at pick 17 because everything I have read and heard is that the Steelers like their tackles and they believe left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is solid. Perfect no but solid yes.
I have no issue with Joey Porter Jr. either, I just like Bank’s game better. The Steelers want to create more turnovers on defense. Deonte Banks is just as sticky to wide receivers as Porter Jr., but he is a more willing tackler.
This draft has many quality corners, but the cream of the crop is in the first four off of the board. I believe Banks is the pick but will not be shocked if it is Porter Jr.
Also considered: Kalijah Kancey (DL – Pittsburgh), Mazi Smith (DL – Michigan), Brian Branch (Safety – Alabama)
Second Round (32): Jack Campbell – Inside Linebacker (Iowa)
My favorite player the Steelers ever had at linebacker was Jack Lambert. He was mean and tough and even though he was somewhat light, he would kick Earl Campbell‘s ass every time they played.
I really want another inside linebacker who can play like Lambert. Jack Campbell may be that guy, but a 2023 version.
If you have ever watched tape on Campbell, you know why I want the Steelers to grab him at pick 32. He is a great inside linebacker and has a nose for the ball. He is very good in coverage and even better at sniffing out the run.
Campbell is also very good at blitzing. He can run right through a gap in the line or he can run a designed blitz.
Also considered: Drew Sanders (ILB – Arkansas) Cam Smith (Cornerback – South Carolina)
Second Round (49): Gervon Dexter – Defensive Line (Florida)
No offense to Isaiahh Loudermilk, but I am less than impressed. So we need to go back to the well this time and get Gervon Dexter from Florida.
Dexter is young, and big and can anchor the defensive line while providing a good pass rush and run-stopping ability. He has time to learn behind Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, and he can add muscle during that time, although he is already 6’6″ and 310 pounds!
He is not perfect, but I believe he can be coached up and become a consistent starter in the future along with Leal.
Also considered: Will McDonald (EDGE – Iowa State), Julius Brents (Cornerback – Kansas State)
Third Round (80) Siaki Ika – Defensive Line (Baylor)
The Steelers need a big dude like this who can stop the run, get some sacks, and eats up two blocks. With the addition of a big space-eater like Ika, the run defense will get better as the player evolves.
He is a big human being, but the Steelers would not play him more than thirty percent of the defensive snaps. He also plays heads-up and gets his hands up and blocks passes at the line.
Also considered: Jordan Battle (Safety – Alabama), Dawand Jones (Offensive Tackle – Ohio State)
Defense-Heavy
Yes, I went defense-heavy with my selections because the Steelers have to reload on that side of the ball this year.
It drives me nuts when I hear people say that the defensive line is in good shape. Really? What game were you watching?
Other than Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, if this were a band it would be called two dudes and some spare parts! (Two safeties led the team in tackles!)
Next year we can play mix and match, but 2023 needs to be the year of the defense.
