Steelers news: Experts weigh in on draft needs, Kenny Pickett lobbies for WR, and more

NFL experts weigh in on which direction Pittsburgh should go in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here’s the latest Steelers news as we head into the weekend.

The Matt Canada news was deafening to Pittsburgh Steelers fans this week. After waiting to see what Mike Tomlin would decide, the team officially announced that he will be returning as the offensive coordinator for the 2022 season. This was a punch in the gut to many fans who were hoping to see a more innovative offensive coordinator come to town.

Outside of the disheartening Matt Canada news, it was a relatively quiet week around the organization. Here’s the latest Steelers news as we gear up for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Steelers news

Recently, Pro Football Focus analyst Steve Palazzolo joined 93.7 The Fan to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers and what they should do early in the 2023 NFL Draft. He noted that, although the offensive line is a need, adding a premier wide receiver would do more to help a young Kenny Pickett — pointing to the success Joe Burrow had when the Bengals added WR Ja’Marr Chase.

We have seen evidence of this being the case in the past. Though fans might not agree with ignoring the trenches once again in the first round, Pittsburgh receiving corps really struggled this year outside of rookie George Pickens.

More Steelers news

In other Steelers news pertaining to the 2023 NFL Draft, Kenny Pickett recently joined the Pat McAfee Show where he was asked about former college teammate, Jordan Addison. The skilled wide receiver played for USC in 2022, but he was insanely productive at Pitt in 2021 when Pickett was the quarterback. Needless to say, the Steelers QB gave him a glowing endorsement.

Pickett hinted that he would love to reunite with Addison, saying, “I’m excited to see where he ends up. Hopefully in the black and gold.” At the moment, Addison is projected to go in the back half of the first round. The Steelers currently hold early picks, including the 17th and 33rd selections in the NFL Draft.

NFL news

On Friday afternoon, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network released his first 2023 NFL mock draft of the new year. Jeremiah has three quarterbacks going inside the top with Bryce Young (2nd overall), Will Levis (4th), and C.J. Stroud (9th). Interestingly, he has Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon — a name that has been linked to the Steelers early — going to the Lions with the 6th overall pick.

With the 17th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jeremiah has Pittsburgh taking mammoth Florida offensive guard, O’cyrus Torrence. Jordan Addison goes off the board at pick 25 in this mock draft.