The Steelers played it safe in the first round by selecting Kenny Pickett, but there is plenty of talent to be had on day 2. Here are 5 players fans should hope they take on Friday.
The Steelers did exactly what most fans and draft analysts thought they would with their first-round pick: they selected their next franchise QB.
Kenny Pickett would not have been my pick, but it makes sense. He has arguably the highest floor in the class and the Steelers have gotten to watch him develop into the player he has become.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, plenty of talented players fell out of the first that could be impactful as rookies. With a need at receiver, secondary, and defensive line, there are guys at all those positions that could be great value on day 2. Let’s start with a player who could be the Steelers next great defensive lineman.
Steelers could select DT Travis Jones
Travis Jones is the highest-rated defensive lineman left in the draft, and it was a bit surprising to me that he made it out of the first round. If you liked Jordan Davis out of Georgia, Jones is a similar player that is more polished as a pass rusher but not quite as big.
With Tyson Alualu and Cam Heyward getting older and the uncertainty surrounding Stephon Tuitt, the Steelers can’t afford to ignore the middle of their defense. He may not have a big role as a rookie, but he would be fantastic as a rotational player this year and could take over for Alualu in 2023.
They may need to move up from 52 to get him, but it would be well worth it.
Steelers could select WR George Pickens
George Pickens’s draft stock has fluctuated wildly over the past few weeks. It started with him rising due to how many teams have a need at receiver, but concerns about his maturity level surfaced in the days leading up to the draft.
The Steelers are one of the teams who need another starting-caliber receiver, and Pickens would be a great fit opposite of Diontae Johnson. It would also push Chase Claypool into more of a slot role where his physical gifts would be easier to take advantage of.
I know fans are probably tired of the Steelers drafting receivers who have maturity concerns, but Pickens’s talent would be hard to pass on if he fell to pick 52. Like it or not they haven’t let that get in the way before, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he was the pick.
Unlike Travis Jones, I don’t think the Steelers would need to move up for him. There are enough receivers left without the maturity questions that will likely go ahead of him, so staying at 52 and taking him there would be a great value.
Steelers could select CB Andrew Booth Jr
Clemson corner Andrew Booth Jr could be the best player left on the board after day 1 of the draft, and outside of some injury concerns, it’s hard to understand why he is still available.
Outside of Derek Stingley and Sauce Gardner, you can argue that Andrew Booth Jr is the most pro-ready corner in the class. He is a great zone coverage player that tackles extremely well and has elite acceleration to close on receivers. He also has good size and physicality that I am sure the Steelers would love.
The Steelers already have three starters at corner, but none of them are as talented as Booth Jr. He may not play starting snaps as a rookie, but it also wouldn’t be surprising if he beat out Levi Wallace for the #2 corner spot.
The Steelers need a corner that can do what Joe Haden did for them the past few seasons: jump routes and take the football away. I think Booth Jr could be that guy for them at pick 52.
Steelers could select WR Skyy Moore
Skyy Moore had some first-round buzz prior to the draft, but the run at receiver ended prematurely at pick 18 with Treylon Burks. Even with multiple teams with a need at receiver, teams decided the value was elsewhere. That could be to the Steelers benefit.
Moore isn’t as physically imposing or gifted as George Pickens, but he has the versatility to play outside or in the slot and is great after the catch. He also is a Pittsburgh kid and doesn’t have the maturity questions. The Steelers will likely value him over a lot of the other day two receivers because of how ready is to play right away.
He is a bit on the small side, but he can handle playing outside or he can be the primary slot receiver. If nothing else he would give Matt Canada a lot of options when deciding how to deploy all his receivers. He has less upside than some of the other players that could still be available at 52, but the Steelers seem determined to stay competitive. Moore would help them do that.
Steelers could select S Nick Cross
The Steelers have looked to the University of Maryland multiple times in the last few drafts, and I believe they could do it again with safety Nick Cross. Despite bringing Terrell Edmunds back, it’s only a one-year deal and the money gives the impression that they don’t expect him to be the starter long-term.
Cross is not that different of a prospect than Edmunds was coming out, but this time around the Steelers won’t be spending a first-round pick to get him. Cross is an elite athlete with legit 4.3 speed and is a punishing tackler. Like Edmunds, his coverage ability is a work in progress and his agility may limit his ability to play man coverage.
Ideally the Steelers could wait until pick 84 to get him, but with three safeties already off the board, he could be gone by then. I would love to see them take one of the players I have already discussed at 52 and make a small trade-up to get him in the third.
If the Steelers take any of these prospects on day 2, fans should be excited about the future. Even if the Kenny Pickett selection doesn’t work out, if they hit on their other picks they will at least be a better football team for whoever the next QB ends up being. Here’s hoping the Steelers get it right.