With the Steelers now locked into the 17th overall pick in the draft, here is my first crack at predicting this team’s draft selections in this mock draft.
The focus of the Steelers has now officially become the offseason since the team failed to make the playoffs. While still a long way away, the team needs to win during the draft this year, as this roster is full of holes and needs a few more good pieces. Omar Khan will have his work cut out for him.
There is a multitude of ways the Steelers can go about this draft. I’m personally not considering any potential free-agency routes before constructing this seven-round draft. I simply used PFF’s mock draft simulator and took the best fits I had for the team at any given pick. With all of that said, here is my first crack at a Steelers mock draft for 2023.
Steelers mock draft round 1: OT Paris Johnson
While there are countless positions of need that could be the target here, shoring up and investing in this offensive line is a must. The team scraped by on the play of Dan Moore and Chukwuma Okorafor in 2022, but neither did a great job at protecting Kenny Pickett. I also struggle to see Okorafor being kept around at his current price.
The Steelers could certainly look to free agency for a tackle, but in this scenario, they land one of the top tackle prospects in this draft. Paris Johnson has the potential to be a great left tackle in the league. He has the size you want, incredibly long arms, and the athleticism to move in space. Add in some great play at a top school and Johnson has the makings of a top draft pick.
He isn’t a complete player though, and there is certainly some projection with him. He played guard for Ohio State before this season, and while he looked fine as a tackle, he did have some issues with technique and hand placement. That said, keeping him at guard is a waste, as he has the potential to be a top tackle in this league.
This draft is lacking a defined top lineman, and while many view Paris as that guy, his projection and lack of overall strength may kick him down some boards. He will need some seasoning at tackle, but if he can continue to improve, Johnson would be a slam-dunk pick in the first round of this draft.
Steelers mock draft round 2 (from Chicago): CB Joey Porter
This is the reason why the Steelers aced the Chase Claypool trade. The second-round pick (for a very average receiver) was already great but add in the fact the Bears now own the top pick in the draft, and Pittsburgh is essentially handed another first-round pick. They use that on a familiar name in Joey Porter Jr. out of Penn State.
The son of the legendary Steelers pass rusher, Porter has made a living as an outside cornerback at Penn State. He passes all of the physical tests, as he is 6’2 with great length and good athleticism. He excels in man coverage and can hold his own in a zone scheme. His technique needs to be refined, but he has all of the traits to be a starting cornerback in the league.
While some have him pegged as a first-round guy, he isn’t a completely ready prospect. While his speed is general athleticism is good, he doesn’t have great burst. He also isn’t a player that excels in run defense, a must for the Steelers defense. Finally, he hasn’t been a playmaker in college, as he has just one career interception.
To me, he is a fringe first-round prospect, especially in a draft loaded with some good cornerbacks. He’s going to need a few years to really hone his craft. That said, the Steelers should have players ahead of him that will allow him to earn his role. He is an enticing prospect with obvious ties to Pittsburgh.
Steelers mock draft round 2: DE Gervon Dexter
The Steelers return to the trenches with their other second-round pick. While many fans are clamoring for a nose tackle, it is hard to justify one here based on the talent that’s left. A name I have had my eye on for the Steelers for a while is Gervon Dexter out of Florida though, as he fits the physical mold of what the team looks for in defensive ends.
It is rare to find a traditional end that the Steelers like in drafts anymore, but Dexter is the prototype. 6’6, 313 lbs makes him a perfect fit to play along this line. Beyond just his size, Dexter is a good athlete and a strong run defender. He plays with a lot of power and is a constant disrupter on defense.
While he has all of the tools to be a dominant pass rusher, he has yet to really put that aspect of his game together. He has just 4.5 sacks in college. It seems like he lacks a defined plan when rushing the quarterback. Given his age though, Dexter has plenty of time to grow into that role.
The defensive line in Pittsburgh is set for a transition this season, and Dexter would be a long-term solution if he can put everything together. He would be a natural end in base defense and could work his way into the interior for passing downs. He needs a lot of work, but if the team gets the most out of him, he should be a capable starter down the road.
Steelers mock draft round 3: WR Zay Flowers
Every draft class seems stacked with receivers now, and 2023 seems to be no different. The Steelers are in desperate need of some receiver help as their room was extremely shallow following the Claypool trade. A name that I expect to rise during the pre-draft process, Zay Flowers has everything you want in a slot receiver.
The Boston College produce is on the smaller side, but he is an elite athlete with the ability to change direction on a dime. Getting the ball into his hands however you can allows him to be the game-breaking weapon he has shown to be. He has also been efficient when given handoffs, which is an element the Steelers have heavily incorporated into their offense.
His lack of size will keep him mostly in the slot, but he would provide the Steelers with a capable third receiver that has game-breaking ability. He can bur you deep or take a short pass the distance for the score. He would be an explosive addition to this receiving core and a great selection in the third round.
Steelers mock draft round 4: NT Keeanu Benton
Here is the big space eater Steelers nation has been clamoring for. Keeanu Benton is a throwback nose tackle who can take up space and disrupt the run. He isn’t going to consistently generate pressure, but Benton can provide Pittsburgh with that true base nose tackle they have been lacking for the past few seasons.
Benton is a powerful player. While he will need to get some technique to go along with his strength, he can move people on a line with ease. He also has a knack for stopping the run, as he can take up space and punch through gaps to get after the back. Despite his lack of pass-rushing props, Benton actually has really violent hands which makes him hard to combat once the ball is snapped.
To be clear, Benton is a two-down player that offers next to nothing as a pass-rusher. While he may develop there, he will be labeled as a gapping one technique player in this draft. That will likely cause his stock to drop a little bit, but he can be a safe run-stopper for years to come.
Steelers mock draft round 6: LB Ivan Pace
I really wanted to find a linebacker earlier in the draft, but I settled for Ivan Pace here in the sixth round. A hyper-productive defender, Pace has a Vince Williams vibe to him. He isn’t the biggest player, nor is he an incredible athlete, but he plays with his hair on fire and has a nose for the football.
I’m not sure if Pace will ever be able to start, but he should be a capable run-stopping backup that can play special teams. He adds another body to this room that will likely be completely upturned this offseason. He has some big flaws that will limit him as a pro, but Pace should be a solid reserve for this team.
Steelers mock draft round 7: C Juice Scruggs
The Steelers start and end this draft along the offensive line. While Johnson should be a plug-and-play tackle, Juice Scruggs has a long way to go before he is an established lineman. The slightly undersized center is a good athlete and developed into a consistent interior lineman for Penn State.
While the Steelers will likely lean on Mason Cole again in 2023, Scruggs can be a versatile backup who is primarily a center but can also take snaps at either guard spot. Scruggs likely won’t develop into a top-tier starter, but he could give the team a dependable interior backup, something that they are lacking right now.
The Steelers need to do a good job in their draft this season. This mock focuses on the trenches, as four total linemen make their way onto the team. As well, key positions are added to further boost the depth chart heading into 2023.