Steelers could fall in love with fast-rising OT prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need to improve their trenches and this offensive tackle prospect could prove to be high on their draft board.

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t put enough emphasis on the offensive tackle position in the NFL Draft; this much is clear.  Under the direction of Kevin Colbert, this team hasn’t drafted an OT in the first or second round of the draft since 2012.

As we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers will be more than a decade removed from not spending more than a third-round pick at one of the most important positions in the league. This is clearly unacceptable, and it’s no wonder why Pittsburgh’s offensive line has struggled over the past several years.

While Chukwuma Okorafor’s career has been trending in the right direction, he should still just be considered an average NFL right tackle at best. On the other hand, Dan Moore Jr. has clearly struggled early in his career.

The Steelers should never be content to skimp on a position as important as left tackle, and they could really use a sizable upgrade in 2023 and beyond. Fortunately, it sounds like Omar Khan and Andy Weidl want to place a heavy emphasis on the trenches — something Colbert didn’t do much of during the past decades as Pittsburgh’s GM.

As it stands, the Steelers could be looking at a top-10 pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. This is typically where teams take premier left tackle prospects. While this isn’t considered to be an elite tackle class, there is one player who will really catch the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers could target a fascinating OT prospect in the draft

If you have followed along closely to college football this season, Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and Ohio State’s Paris Campbell have widely been considered the best offensive tackle prospects set to enter the NFL Draft. Skoronski is undersized, but an experienced technician while Campbell is more of a tools-based prospect.

However, there is one fast-rising offensive tackle who has a chance to be the first OT off the board next April: Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

In recent weeks, Fashanu has drawn a lot of buzz from scouts and draft experts for his quick, nimble feet and ability to mirror edge rushers. Listed at 6’6” and  321 pounds, Fashanu has excellent size and length to go with quality tape.

What’s perhaps most intriguing about Fashanu is that he is just 19 years old, according to Nittany Lions Wire. Though he still has things to work on, it’s fascinating that his tape looks as good as it does at his age. This comes after earning just 85 career snaps prior to this point.

Fashanu is just a redshirt sophomore, so obviously, he doesn’t have to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. However, at the rate that he is trending, there won’t be a reason not to. Fashanu is currently Pro Football Focus’s 35th-ranked prospect overall but has already climbed up to 19th, according to Pro Football Network’s consensus board.

Meanwhile, the Steelers typically value youth and underclassmen in the first round. It also doesn’t hurt that Fashanu is close to home at Penn State.

I’m sure Weidl, Khan, and the scouting department are going to get a great look at Olumuyiwa Fashanu over the next several months. The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need to find their left tackle of the future and this stellar, young prospect certainly seems like he fits the bill.