Top 4 players Steelers should completely avoid in the 2023 NFL Draft

1. Jalen Carter is too risky to consider

While I would argue that the defensive line is one of, if not the, biggest positional needs, I would not be willing to draft Jalen Carter anymore. While I do believe Carter is a top prospect based on his ability and talent, he has had a horrible pre-draft process.

Had we just been looking at his college film, there would be little reason that Carter would even be a realistic fit for a team not in the top five. He ranks right alongside Will Anderson as a top prospect in this draft, and the only reason neither are viewed as likely first-overall picks is that they aren’t quarterbacks.

Carter is possibly falling on draft night due to off-the-field concerns. He had an arrest go out for him at the combine, which is already a bad look. He followed that up by showing up out of shape to his pro day and not testing. While a great prospect on paper, Carter has opened himself to so many questions because of his pre-draft antics.

Considering Carter would likely require a trade-up, I’m not willing to risk all of that to obtain a prospect with that many red flags. Even if he were to naturally fall to pick 17, taking him seems too risky. I want some more talent along the defensive line, but Carter is far too risky as a player to count on for the Steelers top pick.

The Steelers have left their possibilities wide open this year in the draft, which has made the process all the more fun. That said, the team would be wise to steer clear of these four prospects, as they aren’t great fits and would pose too big of a risk to select.