2023 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers luck into the player they have been eyeing

NFL mock draft pick 17: CB Joey Porter Jr.

Finally, the Steelers first round pick rolls around and the obvious becomes reality for this club. All the top tackles are gone, but they got one of the better corners in this draft. They take Joey Porter Jr, out of Penn State and it might make plenty of eyes roll, but it makes a ton of sense. He has great size for the position and checks off a ton of pre-draft boxes for Pittsburgh.

NFL mock draft pick 18: S Brian Branch

Another member to add to this Detroit secondary as Brian Branch falls to pick 18. Some believe that he could potentially slip out of the first round, but the Lions like him enough to not wait any longer. They need to fix this secondary to become some solid playoff talent moving forward and they accomplish that here. Branch wears a few different hats in the secondary and that versatility is attractive in a first round talent.

NFL mock draft pick 19: WR Zay Flowers

This draft class of receivers has not been getting a lot of love during the pre-draft process to date. It took until the 15th pick that the first player went in the first round, and now Zay Flowers goes to the Houston Texans. He is a talented player and sits as the top receiver by some in the crop of rookie talent. He is an explosive playmaker that will fit in nicely with Young and their weaponless offense.

NFL mock draft pick 20: CB Deonte Banks

Here is another prospect that could end up with the Steelers during the draft, but he slips to pick 20 in this simulation. Arizona needs some cornerback help on defense and they get that here. Even though their offense struggled last season, this defensive unit was not any better. They got a pass rusher earlier and now they add a good talent to the secondary.