Yes, it’s that time! With training camp beginning there’s a lot to get excited about for the Steelers 2023 season. Still, there are some roster holes that need to be filled. According to Over the Cap the Steelers still have almost $11 million in cap space left after the Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr. signings.
That’s enough for GM, Omar Khan to make one big signing or two to three smaller ones.
The Steelers almost always add players after the cuts begin and I’m guessing there are more moves to be made. So, some of the roster holes may be filled, at least for the 2023 season.
Be that as it may, the team is in need of starter competition at strong safety, inside linebacker and nickelback. There's a need for depth on the defensive line and the Steelers should start planning for a future without Cam Heyward. Competition on the offensive line and depth at running back should also be addressed.
I have to say, it’s fun doing these early mock drafts. While you’re looking at prospects you get a lot of other player names in your head. It gives you ideas on which college games to watch and teams to follow. There are some really exciting prospects at Pittsburgh’s positions of need this year.
Steelers mock draft round 1: Cooper Dejean, SS
Cooper Dejean is a phenomenal athlete who was a four-sport star in high school. There’s a video of him on Youtube doing every manner of a dunk in basketball. Then, he’s throwing touchdowns on offense and getting interceptions on defense, playing football. He was also a pitcher for the baseball team. Not stopping there, he can be seen putting up scorching numbers in track. The forty-yard dash time I’ve listed is actually converted from his 100-meter track time which placed him first in the state of Iowa.
Dejean was slated to start at strong safety in 2022 when a season-ending injury to a starter forced him to cornerback. He did very well there putting up 75 tackles with 3.0 for a loss, 8 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions with a whopping 3 pick sixes. His QB rating when targeted was a very impressive 55.6%. The Hawkeyes plan to play him at Strong Safety and their 'cash' linebacker/safety hybrid role in 2023.
He hasn’t played the position much but Dejean might turn out to be a generational talent at strong safety. The Steelers recently had one of those but it’s a different generation, now, isn’t it? He reads and reacts very quickly and has game-wrecker potential at the line of scrimmage. He has enough size to fill the LB/Safety tweener role the Steelers have been looking for. He could also be the slot coverage guy. I’m sure he’d have no problem playing free safety. He’s a player who pops off the film.
Dejean's man cover skills are top-notch. He has the speed to stick with faster receivers and the size and physicality to match up against tight ends. He stays in the receiver’s hip pocket and has an impressive burst breaking on the ball. Sometimes he looks like he’s running the route for the receiver. The Steelers have been looking for a successor to the great Troy Polamalu, Cooper Dejean might be that guy. The safety combo of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dejean could be the best in the NFL.