4 disastrous picks Steelers must avoid at pick 17 in the 2023 NFL Draft

Steelers can't spend elite draft capital on a slot WR in Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Jaxon Smith-Njigba might end up being the top wide receiver on the consensus board this year. The Ohio State product had absurd production for the Buckeyes in 2021 with 96 catches for 1,606 yards and 9 touchdowns before appearing in just 3 games in 2022.

Smith-Njigba is a fantastic route runner who can do some good things after the catch, but I thoroughly believe he will be restricted to playing the slot in the NFL. It's clear to see that he just doesn't have a second or third gear (which is no doubt why he elected not to run his 40 during the pre-draft process).

The Steelers could use a yard-after-catch option for Pickett, but forking up the 17th pick for one is not the way to go. I think that JSN has a high floor in the NFL, but will be rather pedestrian in '12' personnel or when asked to play a role other than the slot. Meanwhile, slot receivers are relatively easy to find, and Pittsburgh still needs to see what they have in Calvin Austin III.

I think Smith-Njigba is going to have a pretty good NFL career, but he likely would have been a second-round pick if he was in last year's class of talented wide receivers. Teams will overdraft for premium positions, but there are a plethora of other options I am going to like at pick 17 more.