It's been over two grueling months since the NFL season officially ended. The 2023 NFL draft is finally here and has the potential to be the most pivotal and exciting draft class for the Steelers of the last 20 years. With an uncharacteristically active free agency period, the Steelers entered Thursday night with few glaring holes and plenty of draft capital in the first three rounds to shake things up.
Omar Khan and company knew just how important hitting a homerun would be with their first pick since taking over for Kevin Colbert this past year. That's why they moved up to the 14th overall pick in a trade that sent the 17th and 120th picks to the New England Patriots for a chance to select their potential franchise Left Tackle. Here are four takeaways from the Steelers' first-round selection:
4. Steelers finish offensive line makeover with first-round pick
The Steelers had a clear priority this offseason in revamping an offensive line group that has had its ups and downs over the last several years, despite finishing off the 2022 season on a high note. Moving forward with a young quarterback made this move that much more important. With the signings of OG Nate Herbig, OG Isaac Seumalo, and OT Le'Raven Clark, selecting Broderick Jones was just the icing on the cake.
Broderick Jones is not a lock to be the day-one starter over Dan Moore Jr., but it should certainly be the expectation. The former Georgia Bulldog is as athletic as they come at Left Tackle and provides the Steelers' offensive line with a whole new skill set that they have been longing for. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have shown plenty of confidence that Jones can be the cornerstone of the Steelers' offensive line for years to come, and that's why they moved up to pick 14 to snag him.
With the possibility of the two-time national champion stepping into the starting lineup, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense would potentially be looking at two brand-new starters and a solid second group ready to fill in when needed.
3. The Steelers may be looking to move one of their second-round picks
Having dealt the 120th overall pick in the fourth round to move up three spots in the first, the Pittsburgh Steelers draft capital in the middle rounds is extremely scarce. After their 80th overall selection in the third round, Pittsburgh will not pick again until the seventh round as the draft order currently stands.
Steelers sitting pretty at 32.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) April 28, 2023
- CB Joey Porter Jr. still on the board (and a bunch of other good CBs)
- QBs Will Levis and Hendon Hooker there if Steelers want to trade out
I'm good with them going in either direction. Board really broke well for Pittsburgh. #Steelers
I do not think it would be wise to trade out of the 32nd spot due to the vast amount of talent remaining after the first 31 picks, and considering the team still needs a cornerback or middle linebacker that can contribute this fall. Pick 49 however, could be in play to help the Steelers recoup some of those picks from rounds four through six.
2. Expect a big season from Pittsburgh's rushing attack in 2023
Pittsburgh's rushing attack ranked quite literally in the middle of the pack in 2022 finishing the season with the 16th most rushing yards per game (120.9), per ESPN stats. It would've been much worse had the offense continued their averages from weeks one through eight when they struggled to move the ball on the ground effectively.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have to be huge fans of the Broderick Jones pick. Throw in what the Steelers' brass has done overall with the offensive line as well and you have two happy running backs.
While Harris has displayed flashes of greatness over the past two seasons, Steelers fans are still waiting for the former 24th overall pick to take the next step and prove he was worth the first-round selection that many NFL fans criticized on draft night in 2021. Harris has failed to exceed four yards per carry in his first two seasons despite rushing for 1,000-plus yards in each campaign.
With the moves made in free agency and at the 14th pick of the first round, expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to be a top-ten rushing team in the league, and Broderick Jones could be a huge reason for it.
1. Thursday night's trade is just another example of what to expect from the Steelers in the future
This new Steelers regime has proved they will not wait for success to fall into their laps. Omar Khan and Anthony Weidl have been active in improving the roster and implementing a different approach to building the team since taking over, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the last several seasons of the Kevin Colbert era.
Steelers fans have witnessed much disappointment in the last 10-plus years since reaching Super Bowl 45. It was beginning to feel that the direction the team was moving would not bring home a seventh Lombardi Trophy. My faith has been restored entirely this off-season. It is not a hot take to say that this team could be contenders again soon courtesy of some new faces in charge.
If Steelers fans were not convinced that Omar Khan is the man for the job after the team's aggressive free agency period, they definitely will be once the 2023 NFL Draft has concluded. The trade-up to pick 14 to take Broderick Jones is just a sign of things to come, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more action in days two and three of this year's draft.
Regardless of how you feel about the Steelers' first-round selection, you can't deny the effort and aggressiveness that the front office has shown in just a few short months.