Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL mock draft roundup
The 2023 NFL Draft is almost here! But who do the experts think the Pittsburgh Steelers will take in this year’s draft?
I scoured the Internet for various mock drafts from a variety of websites to compile analyst picks for the Steelers. Most are the same and others are wild.
Here’s a breakdown of some of those picks.
Note: All picks are first-round selections with pick 17 unless where noted. Analyst, outlet, pick, comment (where applicable) and link to full mock draft provided with each pick below.
Broderick Jones – OT (Georgia)
Todd McShay (ESPN)
Pittsburgh brought in Isaac Seumalo this March to shore up the interior offensive line, but there are still questions at offensive tackle. And protection is key when you have a young QB running the offense. Jones allowed zero sacks over 15 starts last season, showcasing quick feet and explosive upper-body power for the national champion Bulldogs, and he’d be a good value get at this point in the draft. Jones would also help open lanes for Najee Harris in the run game.
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)
The Steelers need to improve their offensive line if Kenny Pickett and the offense is going to reach its full potential, and Jones has the chance to be a franchise tackle. He’s not huge but has long arms and moves his feet very well. He also has a strong desire to beat the hell out of defenders, which is always a plus in my book.
Will Brinson (CBS Sports)
The Steelers need to improve their offensive line if Kenny Pickett and the offense is going to reach its full potential, and Jones has the chance to be a franchise tackle. He’s not huge but has long arms and moves his feet very well. He also has a strong desire to beat the hell out of defenders, which is always a plus in my book.
Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports)
The Steelers need to improve their offensive line if Kenny Pickett and the offense is going to reach its full potential, and Jones has the chance to be a franchise tackle. He’s not huge but has long arms and moves his feet very well. He also has a strong desire to beat the hell out of defenders, which is always a plus in my book.
Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports)
The Steelers need to improve their offensive line if Kenny Pickett and the offense is going to reach its full potential, and Jones has the chance to be a franchise tackle. He’s not huge but has long arms and moves his feet very well. He also has a strong desire to beat the hell out of defenders, which is always a plus in my book.
Connor Rogers (NBC Sports)
If Pittsburgh wants to give Kenny Pickett a chance to thrive, they have to reinforce the offensive line in this division. Jones was great in his first full year starting, showing off explosive range with such a quick lower half at his size.
Zay Flowers – WR (Boston College)
Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)
This is around where we could see a run on receivers. Flowers is actually my top-ranked wideout. I love his explosion and ability after the catch. Pittsburgh’s wideouts had just five touchdown receptions last season, which ranked last in the league. The 5-9 Flowers is a dynamo out of the slot, but he had plenty of grabs lined up outside too. He could be a nice fit with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Quarterback Kenny Pickett had a special connection with former Pitt teammate Jordan Addison, but I think Flowers would be the better pick for the Steelers.
Nolan Smith – EDGE (Georgia)
Charles Davis (NFL Network)
Alex Highsmith just enjoyed a breakout year for the Steelers with 14.5 sacks, but he’s in the final year of his rookie deal. Edge rushers are the motor that drives Pittsburgh’s defense.
Lukas Van Ness – EDGE (Iowa)
Eric Edholm (NFL Network)
Van Ness could go higher than this, though he’s still an upside pick who might never develop into a true standout player. But at the very least, the Iowa product gives you toughness, energy and positional flexibility as a hockey-enforcer type of defender. He kind of screams Pittsburgh, if you think about it.
Joey Porter Jr. – CB (Penn State)
Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo (Pro Football Focus)
Porter is a high football IQ cornerback with the kind of size and physicality everyone is looking for. If he was a slightly better athlete, he’d be a top-10 pick.
Blake Brockermeyer (247Sports)
Porter gives the Steelers size and length outside to match excellent cover skills for a team that has had a hard time keeping their secondary together. This would be a sentimental pick as his dad played and coached for the Steelers. Porter has great top end speed and does a nice job playing the ball in the air despite the lack of interceptions.
WalterFootball.com
T.J. Watt’s return has bolstered Pittsburgh’s pass defense, but help is still needed at cornerback. Patrick Peterson was signed, but he’s obviously not a long-term answer. There are plenty of talented cornerbacks who will be available at this juncture.
The son of the former Steeler great is a 6-2 cornerback with high potential.
Julius Brents – CB (Kansas State)
Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
Brents is 6-foot-3, ran a 4.53 40 at the combine and had among the best 3-cone and short-shuttle times too. He’s long, fast, physical and plays with an edge — he sounds like a Steelers corner.
Jordan Addison – WR (USC)
Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)
If there’s a team to pick Addison in the first round, shouldn’t it be the Steelers, to pair Addison with Kenny Pickett? Absolutely.
Michael Mayer – TE (Notre Dame)
Jason McIntyre (FOX Sports)
The Steelers have a good young tight end in Pat Freiermuth, but he already has suffered three concussions. Kenny Pickett will have no excuses if he has a down season after adding Allen Robinson and now Mayer.
Devon Witherspoon – CB (Illinois)
Mike Tannenbaum (ESPN)
The Steelers allowed the fourth-highest yards per pass attempt (7.5) and tied for the second-most touchdowns passes against (29) in 2022. Cam Sutton has been replaced with Patrick Peterson, but Pittsburgh still needs a young cornerback. I love Witherspoon’s fit in the Steelers’ scheme; he is tough, competitive and an effective tackler. And among FBS qualified defenders, Witherspoon allowed the second-fewest yards per pass attempt (3.3). I consider him the most physical cornerback in this year’s draft, too.
Deonte Banks – CB (Maryland)
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)
Pittsburgh is rumored to be interested in trading up for Jalen Carter but could also use offensive tackle help. The run on the position has already happened so the Steelers address another important need: cornerback.
Kyle Stackpole (CBS Sports)
The Steelers need help on the backend, and Deonte Banks could grow into a big piece of that defense.
Bryant McFadden (CBS Sports)
Mike Tomlin loves athletic CBs with swag, and Banks has that.
Darnell Wright – OT (Tennessee)
Jordan Reid (ESPN)
Adding offensive tackle help around quarterback Kenny Pickett is crucial for the Steelers. The addition of guard Isaac Seumalo means the interior of the line is set, but they need to add left tackle competition for Dan Moore. Wright would give Pittsburgh a young dependable tackle option. He started 42 games in college, including 27 at right tackle. His top traits are his strength, physicality and sustain-and-strain ability. Wright’s ascension since 2021 arguably has been the highest of any prospect in this class. There are several teams that view him as a prospect who can play either tackle spot or guard at a high level as a rookie.
Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL Network)
Another team that needs to shore up its offensive line, Pittsburgh gets a physical tackle and terrific pass blocker to put in front of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Paris Johnson Jr. – OT (Ohio State)
Peter Schrager (NFL Network)
The Steelers like plucking prospects from Ohio State. Johnson is a versatile pass protector who can play right away and shouldn’t escape the top 20. I have Pittsburgh passing on Joey Porter’s son, which just doesn’t feel right. Oh well.
