While the Steelers have plans for instant impacts with their top picks, they also need to make sure that they get some developmental players later in the draft that can still impact this roster. Landing early starters is important, but the core of a draft is built on day three picks turning into contributors.
While the Steelers aren’t flush with mid-round picks, there are a bunch of intriguing prospects that they can select on day three. While they all might not be starters right away, they can develop into core players for this team down the road.
I used NFL Draft Buzz as a base guide, as they give a general projection of where a player will go. In order to make this list of potential steals, a player has to be projected as a fourth-round pick or later. All of these players qualify, so here are the 12 players I think could be steals for the team in the 2023 NFL Draft.
12. Olusegun Oluwatimi, IOL, Michigan
Despite making numerous investments and improvements to the interior of this offensive line, the Steelers still seem poised to add another body there, specifically one that can play center. If they opt to not address that position early with a top name, Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi would make a lot of sense.
Oluwatimi is an experienced center playing against top college competition for most of his career. He isn’t an elite athlete by any means, but he plays with sound technique and knows how to hold his own along the center of a line. Oluwatimi will likely be a day-three pick and could develop into a fine starting center for the Steelers.
11. Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
The defensive line class certainly isn’t top-heavy, but there is quite a bit of depth to this group which should benefit the Steelers draft plans. If they opt to address other needs and miss out on some of the top names, going after a name like Zacch Pickens in the fourth round is a logical choice.
Pickens a similar prospect to another one that I like in Keeanu Benton. He has the size and length to potentially kick out to defensive end for this team if he develops. As of now though, he is a capable nose tackle that can take up space in the middle of a defense. It was something he thrived at while playing at South Carolina.
While I don’t see the top potential that I do in a Benton, Pickens would be a plug-and-play nose tackle that could kick out to an end position later on in his career. He plays with a powerful lower half that requires double teams and constantly disrupts plays. He would be a fine consolation prize if this team misses out on some of the top names.
10. Ronnie Hickman, DB, Ohio St.
Entering the draft, the secondary of the Steelers is easily one of the worst overall groups on this roster. From questions at cornerback, safety, and sub-package defenders, there will likely be a few names added to this roster via the draft. While safety is arguably the least of those needs, Ronnie Hickman can wear multiple hats as a defender.
His best-fit long-term will be as a versatile strong safety, one that can sit in the box but also play deep. That said, his tenacity as a hard hitter and a blitzer makes him a fit in the slot as well. He has the size to match up against bigger receivers and tight ends while also possessing the athleticism to hang with them in coverage.
His main issues are trying to diagnose plays, as he is a tad slow and hesitant which can lead to him being out of position. He also needs to work on his tackling, as he can become too hard of a hitter at times and fails to wrap up. That said, he could have an instant role in the slot and develop into an eventual starter at strong safety.
9. Brenton Strange, TE, Penn St.
A tight end isn’t among the Steelers biggest needs entering this draft. While they did their due diligence on some mid-round names, a lot of that seemed to be insurance in case Zach Gentry walked this offseason. He was brought back on a two-year deal and will serve as a more than capable blocker and second option.
With the Steelers desire to be more of a physical, run-heavy team, they could shift some offensive philosophies and utilize more multi-tight end sets. If they do, investing in another traditional tight end makes sense, as Conner Heyward, while a weapon, can’t line up as a traditional tight end for the majority of plays.
Insert Pat Freiermuth’s former college running mate Brenton Strange. The Penn State tight end doesn’t have eye-popping stats or great athleticism, but he has showcased soft hands and the ability to hold his own as a blocker.
Assuming Strange is still available on the third day of the draft, he could be a capable fourth tight end for the Steelers. Gentry and Freiermuth will be the primary options while Heyward serves in a hybrid role. Strange can be a do-it-all backup that is injury insurance in case anyone gets injured.
8. Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan St.
While I am all for the Steelers landing a tight end and becoming a heavier base offense if they decide that they want to remain as a base 11 team with three primary wide receivers, then Jayden Reed should be a primary target for the team in the middle portion of the draft. He has the speed you want and the versatility to play multiple spots as a receiver.
Reed is a fluid route runner that can win deep as well as find ways to get open with his sharp routes. While he can play either of the outside spots, he can also serve as a traditional slot receiver. If you have followed my writing, you know that a slot receiver is one of the biggest needs on this offense. Reed’s versatility and slot ability makes him a great fit for this team.
While there are some fans in favor of taking Jordan Addison early (to be fair, I would be open to it at pick 32), Reed seems like Addison-lite in this draft. He would play a similar role as a primary slot receiver that can play on the outside as well. His cost will be significantly less than Addison, so Reed could be a better budget receiver fit for this team.
7. Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
It seems like the Steelers are either going to land a top tackle with their first two picks or they are going to pass entirely. While taking another mid-late-round tackle seems like a waste given the need for an elite tackle, Carter Warren could sway me. From being the left tackle for Kenny Pickett to having great size and length at tackle, he has potential.
Warren is a very developed blocker that can hold his own. He handles toolsy pass rushers well with a variety of counter moves and is hard to get around because of his length. He does well in space, as he can move around and take on blockers at the second level. For a later-round prospect, his overall game doesn’t have many flaws from a pass-protection standpoint.
Warren does have some deficiencies as a run defender. His play strength isn’t quite there and he can get pushed back against stronger players. He also has a lot of injury concerns that plagued him in school. For a mid-late round flyer though, Warren could be a serviceable left tackle with the potential to grow into a great one. If the team misses out on the top prospects, Warren could be a fine consolation prize for the offense.
6. Brodric Martin, NT, Western Kentucky
For fans that wanted the Steelers to draft Jordan Davis last year, you need to watch Broderic Martin’s film. While he wasn’t as consistent nor did he play against top competition, Martin has a similar build and frame and a play style to Davis. He is a big mound of man that can take up space and use his pure power to disrupt plays.
He has that familiar size and length that Davis had as a prospect, which is rare for a nose tackle. He uses that power to bully linemen and get into the backfield. While a similar prospect to Davis, Martin is still very raw. He plays too high and was streaky as a player despite not always going up against the top competition.
If the Steelers miss out on the top defensive linemen, they should take a risk on Martin. He needs some work and isn’t a sure thing, but if a team can harness his talent and develop his technique he can become a great man in the middle of a defense. The team would have to rely on one of the veterans early on, but Martin, with the right seasoning, can become a great nose tackle for this defense.
5. Keondre Coburn, NT, Texas
Martin is a big physical freak that can become a top-nose tackle in the league if he is given the time and development that he needs. Keondre Coburn is the exact opposite, as he is a player close to his ceiling that can start early, but will never get much past where he is at. He is a short and stout run defender, and that is all that he will be in the NFL.
Coburn doesn’t have the potential that a lot of the nose tackles in this draft have. He doesn’t have an elite frame and has poor length. What he does possess is a strong lower half that can give interior players fits. He often requires double teams as he uses his shorter frame to gain leverage on centers. He doesn’t rack up stats, but he does take up space and open the door for other players.
Coburn will never be much more than a two-down run defender, but landing a capable player like that on day three is worth it. He can start early, has a clear role, and doesn’t need much development as a pro. He lacks the elite traits to make him a dynamic defender, but he can be a stable two-down defender for this defense.
4. DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Another Texas defender, DeMarvion Overshown is a much different prospect than the aforementioned Coburn. Coburn is a lacking athlete with a low ceiling but a high floor. Overshown has been a developmental linebacker that has all of the traits of a good starter but lacks the knowledge of the game and instincts of a top-tier athlete.
Overshown is a converted defensive back, playing safety and cornerback in high school before moving to linebacker. He uses his athleticism to make aggressive sideline-to-sideline plays. He is a competent coverage player, although you would like his coverage ability to be more refined as a former defensive back.
Given the Steelers have their set starters at linebacker right now, grabbing a developmental player like Overshown makes sense. He can develop during his rookie season and eventually see the field on passing downs. Long-term, assuming he develops into a more refined player, he can be a starter at linebacker long term for this defense.
3. Anthony Johnson, DB, Iowa St.
Another versatile defensive back in this draft, Anthony Johnson was a hybrid defender for Iowa State. He has played cornerback, safety, and box defender during his time in college, and he has excelled at most of them. At the next level, he profiles well as a box safety, but I think he has the chops to be a capable slot defender as well.
Johnson has the size and athleticism you want in a slot defender. Add in his man coverage skills and ability to play the run and Johnson can have an instant role for this defense. He was an impact player for the Cyclone's defense and he should have a similar role for the Steelers defense if he were drafted.
The biggest concern with him, outside of his lack of a defined position in school, has been his ability to read an offense. He can, at times, be too slow to react and find himself washed out of plays. He also doesn’t always trust his first read, which can leave him guessing for far too long. That said, he can serve as a slot option and serve as a third safety in certain packages.
2. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
A recent draft darling of mine, Jonathan Mingo is a fun player to watch. He has good size and a unique build for a player. While not a twitchy player, he gains speed and is hard to stop once he gets up to his full speed. While not as versatile of a player as Reed seems to be, Mingo fits the mold of a modern-day “big slot” receiver.
Mingo has the build of a running back for a receiver, and his play mimics that. Once he gets his hands on the ball, he quickly goes from receiving threat to running back. He makes guys miss and sometimes just runs them over. On top of this, he has a great get-off from the line of scrimmage, as he seems to misdirect the opposing cornerback and allows him to gain separation quickly.
While those traits could make him a viable slot receiver early in his career, he needs to get better as a route runner. His tree in college was limited, and he will need to get more nuanced there in the future. While he tested as a good athlete, he doesn’t show it on tape. There are limitations, but Mingo is a different style of a receiver and would be an aid for this team.
1. Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
The cornerback class is one of the deepest positional groups in the draft. While I fully expect the team to address the position early but if they opt to hold off and wait until later in the draft, Kyu Blu Kelly makes a lot of sense for the team. From his bloodlines to his profile to his ability as a man coverage defender, he fits the mold of what the team should want in an outside cornerback.
The son of former pro cornerback Brian Kelly, who enjoyed 11 seasons in the NFL and was coached by Mike Tomlin for a spell, his son looks like he can also enjoy a long NFL career. He has the build you want in an outside cornerback, has good ball skills, and does a great job in man coverage.
He lacks the elite size of the top prospects and isn’t an elite athlete, but Kelly looks like a developmental number two cornerback. Getting that kind of player on day three would be great. Kelly can work his way into a starting role and get mentored by Patrick Peterson. He doesn’t have top-level potential, but he seems like a safe bet to be a good starter for a defense like the Steelers.
While landing top prospects that make an instant is important early, the Steelers need to build out their roster with mid and late-round picks. This draft has a lot of meat in the middle rounds. These twelve names in particular make sense as potential steals for the Steelers during this draft class.