We are a month away from the NFL draft, and the Steelers are preparing their draft board. There will be many guesses who they may take. However, they have many needs heading into the draft cornerback, offensive lineman, linebacker, and cornerback. Now with the recent loss of Terrell Edmunds, a safety, is now in the mix. Given their varied needs, you will see mock drafts having them take players all across the spectrum.
That said, even with Omar Kahn replacing Kevin Colbert, do not expect the Steelers to stray too far from their past traditions in selecting their number-one pick. It’s still hard to say how Omar Kahn may address the draft as opposed to Kevin Colbert; we will know in a month.
Steelers Free agency Moves
The Steelers have a few options, given their recent signings. As a corner was a strong possibility, Patrick Peterson’s signing may have quelled the need for them to go for the corner out of the chute. Still, they could go in that direction; it seems a bit more unlikely. You can disregard a safety position. The draft class for safeties in the number one spot is relatively weak.
One could discount the Steelers grabbing a linebacker as well, especially if they opt to bring back Bud Dupree, though it’s hard to fathom Dupree being as good as his first few years in the league. However, adding him to the mix of other linebackers already signed in the off-season could help the pass rush but lessens the need to take a linebacker in the early rounds.
Potential of the Steelers making a draft day trade
Not since the selection of Devin Bush have the Steelers opted for a first-round trade. They do not engage in them often in the first round. However, given one of the players on their shortlist, it’s not outside the realm of possibility either, as far as the 2023 draft goes.
The Steelers hold the 32 selection as well. Typically the 32nd pick is a first-round selection. However, in 2023 it falls in the 2nd round because the dolphins have to forfeit their number one selection. Thus the Steelers have the draft capital needed to trade up if they feel their choice may be off the board by the 17th selection. Therefore a trade-up may not be out of the question in 2023.
The Steelers shortlist has begun to emerge. Yet take it with a grain of salt as the list is only comprised of Ohio State players thus far, it would be safe to assume a few other names from other schools will make their list before draft day.