Steelers 2023 mock draft after fallout of the early free agency frenzy

Pittsburgh just went through the first part of the free agency process and found some veterans to plug some holes. They will likely comb over the remaining free agents before the draft becomes their top prize for player acquisition moving forward. Plenty of needs still litter this roster and the Steelers hope to do most of their problem solving through the draft process from here on out.

TRADE: Steelers receive picks 19, 82, 174. Buccaneers receive pick 17.

Pick 17 rolls along and the black and gold do not love what they see left on the board. All the top cornerbacks and tackles are gone by this point. Tampa Bay makes a call and gives the Steelers a great trade offer to move back a couple of spots. They get a great haul of two extra selections in the 2023 draft, which will allow them to add more talent to this club.

Steelers mock draft round 1: OT Broderick Jones

Even though many tackles have gone before this pick, Pittsburgh sees Broderick Jones just sitting there. He could be a viable choice at 17, but the Steelers trade back and still get a day one starter at left tackle for this group. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were at the Georgia pro day, and many have speculated that they could be highly interested in this player.

He is a huge prospect that moves well for the position. Dan Moore Jr. cannot be the only option at the left tackle spot on the offensive line. Adding Jones here at the very least brings in a player to challenge Moore for his starting spot in camp. The rookie would likely win that spot during the pre-season process and protect Kenny Pickett's blindside moving forward.