The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get a lot of things accomplished in this latest 2023 mock draft, which Santa had a hand in accomplishing.
Christmas is just around the corner and the Steelers will hope that Santa gives them great presents this year. The upcoming offseason for Pittsburgh will be pivotal for this club’s competitive level over the next couple of years. Free agency will be an important part of the process, but this franchise will not have much cap space to maneuver when the spending begins.
Carrying seven selections might seem like a normal draft class, but those picks are not in their natural order. The Steelers will have three selections in the first two rounds of this upcoming draft, which will be followed by their third and fourth-round picks. That will then lead to a giant gap between their draft choices as they must wait until the seventh round to make their final two selections of the draft.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Investment in the trenches seems like it will be the top priority for the Steelers. That could always change, but they see the draft fall a certain way and take Bryan Bresee out of Clemson. He has been mocked to Pittsburgh in many different articles because of the fit and the high-level prospect in this range.
Bresee has a tragic story behind him after losing his younger sister to a cancer battle. He has been able to continue his growth as a player and person both on and off the field. This defensive tackle would be able to plug into the starting spot next to Cam Heyward and help replace Stephon Tuitt, which the Steelers have not been able to accomplish since his retirement.
Steelers mock draft round 2 (via CHI): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Broderick Jones could sneak his way into the first round, especially with the kind of importance his position carries. Pittsburgh continues to lean heavily into the trenches by selecting a tackle here. Right now, it looks like Jones will be a left tackle at the next level and the black and gold would try him there first.
Even though this tackle would get to battle for the starting spot on the left side, he could get a shot at other places. Many believe that he could switch to right tackle or even move inside to play guard at the next level. All three of those spots need to be upgraded and that would give this roster some flexibility moving forward.
Steelers mock draft round 2: John Michael Schmitz, OC, Minnesota
Mason Cole has done a decent job of stabilizing the center position for the Steelers this year. That does not mean that Pittsburgh should not entertain the idea of bringing in an upgrade if it presents itself. Not only would it bring starting competition at center, but it would also provide that to the left guard spot.
John Michael Schmitz is the selection here as one of the better centers in the draft class falls into the Steelers lap. Surrounding Kenny Pickett with talent and protection will give the young quarterback the best opportunity to succeed. Schmitz did not allow for a single sack against him this season and that should allow for Cole to potentially move over to guard.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Trying to figure out the needs of this team at this juncture of the schedule is almost impossible. If Terrell Edmunds departs the club when free agency rolls around, the strong safety position is going to be a dire need. Pittsburgh notices that in this case and they take Brandon Joseph to come in and compete for the starting job.
The Steelers do not have a ton of depth at the position if both Edmunds and Damontae Kazee depart in free agency. The club will need to add to the safety spot and drafting Joseph does that. He has seen better days as a prospect, but joining Notre Dame this past year was not his best output. He has shown in the past to be a strong player and the hope here would be he returns to form.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Finding reliable depth behind the two starters at the edge position is going to be another focus for the black and gold this offseason. That could always be a free-agent acquisition, but the Steelers decide to use one of their draft selections instead. They take Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa, and he will not notice many changes in his new uniform.
One thing that could change here is Van Ness returning to school for another season or two. That is something he is qualified to do if he goes with that decision. He has been a highly productive player at Iowa and his youth and moldability are something that the Steelers would love from this player in that third edge rusher role.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
Many will hate the idea of waiting this long to take an inside linebacker in the draft. Devin Bush is likely gone once the season concludes and Myles Jack is not turning out to be the player that the team thought when they signed him in free agency. This could become one of, if not the top concern for Pittsburgh to address this offseason if everything else fails before the draft.
With that said, the black and gold use their sixth-round selection on Payton Wilson out of North Carolina State. He is a gritty linebacker that has put up some solid numbers in the ACC since joining the Wolf Pack out of Highschool. Wilson is only a Junior so there would still be a learning curve for him at the next level.
Steelers mock draft round 7: P.J. Mustipher, NT, Penn State
This is yet another addition in the trenches for the Steelers as they see the importance that it brings to the game of football. They add P.J. Mustipher out of Penn State with their last selection of the draft. He would join the team and battle for the starting Nose tackle spot on defense. There are going to be a lot of holes to fill for this defensive line after the schedule concludes.
Mustipher has leadership qualities, which he has shown during his time at the collegiate level. He was able to have a nice season after coming back from a season-ending injury just a year prior. Mustipher is not going to wow you with his pass rush, but his ability to be disruptive against the run game is impressive.
The Steelers were able to add to their trenches, which would provide this team with some aid. Waiting to address some positions in the draft will have to happen, but hopefully, the club can add in free agency too.