2023 Steelers Mock Draft
Published February 23, 10:25 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Omar Kuhn makes his NFL Draft debut as the Steelers new General Manager. He’ll be at the helm as the organization aims to stay above water and avoid the mediocrity that has settled in over the last several years.
The standard of being amongst the elite in the NFL has diminished and absent of being big players in free agency the NFL Draft is the pipeline for the Steelers maintaining their good standing in the standings.
Background Check: 1st Round Last 6 NFL Drafts
2022 | Kenny Pickett |QB | Pittsburgh | 20th overall
2021 | Najee Harris | RB | Alabama | 24th overall
2020 | No Pick
2019 | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan | 10th overall
2018 | Terrell Edmunds | S | Virginia Tech | 28th overall
2017 | T.J. Watt | OLB | Wisconsin | 30th overall
Draft Needs: WR, DB, DE, QB
Pick Is In
Darnell Wright | OT | Tennessee | Sr.
The key assets that will help drive the offense forward are Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris. Pittsburgh spent money last year early in free agency acquiring Mason Cole and James Daniels. Cam Sutton is a impending free agent and his absence in the secondary makes this another position to address early.
Other Canidates
Paris Johnson Jr. OL | Joey Porter Jr. DB | Brian Branch DB
Background Check: 2nd Round Last 6 NFL Drafts
2022 | George Pickens | WR | 52nd overall
2021 | Pat Freiermuth | TE | Penn State | 55th overall
2020 | Chase Claypool | WR | Notre Dame | 49th overall
2019 | No Pick
2018 | James Washington | WR | Oklahoma State | 60th overall
2017 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC | 62nd overall
Draft Needs: OL, DB, LB
Pick Is In
Nolan Smith | Edge | Georgia | Sr.
Pittsburgh does one of the best jobs in the National Football League of eyeing the future with replacements. Alex Highsmith will approach free agency in 2024 and clearly will be too high-priced to remain on the Steelers roster, hence Smith is the pick.
Other Canidates
Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
Background Check: 2nd Round Last 6 NFL Drafts
2022 | George Pickens | WR | 52nd overall
2021 | Pat Freiermuth | TE | Penn State | 55th overall
2020 | Chase Claypool | WR | Notre Dame | 49th overall
2019 | No Pick
2018 | James Washington | WR | Oklahoma State | 60th overall
2017 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC | 62nd overall
Draft Needs: OL, DB, LB
Pick Is In
Zay Flowers | WR | Boston College | Sr.
Flowers is going to remind Steelers faithful of Antonio Brown in all the good ways. The Boston College receiver doesn’t fill the big, bodied receiver Pittsburgh mold that the Steelers covet since the days of Plaxico Burress, but he does give them a real playmaker. Most likely the first East West Shrine Bowl invite drafted.
Other Canidates
Kayshon Battle, WR, LSU
Background Check: 3rd Round Last 6 Drafts
2022 | DeMarvin Leal | DT | Texas A&M | 84th overall
2021 | Kendrick Green | OL | Illinois | 87th overall
2020 | Alex Highsmith | OLB | Charlotte | 107th overall
2019 |Diontae Johnson | WR | Toledo | 66th overall
2019 | Justin Layne | DB | Michigan St. | 83rd overall
2018 | Mason Rudolph | QB | Oklahoma State | 76th overall
2018 | Chukwuma Okorafor |OL | Western Michigan | 92nd overall
2017 | Cameron Sutton |DB | Tennessee | 94th overall
2017 | James Conner | RB | Pittsburgh | 105th overall
Draft Needs: OL, DL, CB
Pick Is In
DJ Turner | DB | Michigan | Sr.
Turner a two-time All-Big Ten selection and appearing in 36 games for the Wolverines is a long defensive back. The secondary and offensive line are the two positions that appear to be addressed multiple times in the draft and free agency.
Other Canidates
Garrett Williams, DB, Syracuse
Background Check: 4th Round Last 6 Drafts
2022 | Calvin Austin | WR | Memphis | 138th overall
2021 | Dan Moore | OL | Texas A&M | 128th overall
2021 | Buddy Johnson | LB | Texas A&M | 140th overall
2020 | Anthony McFarland Jr. | RB | Maryland | 124th overall
2020 | Kevin Dotson | OL | Louisiana | 135th overall
2019 | Benny Snell Jr. | RB | Kentucky | 122nd overall
2018 | No Pick
2017 | Joshua Dobbs | QB | Tennessee | 135th overall
Draft Needs: S, TE, DL
Pick Is In
Daniel Scott | S | California | Sr.
Safety could be a position addressed immediately into the early hours of free agency. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the marque name on the back end of the Steelers defense. Marcus Allen, Terrell Edmunds, Damontae Kazee and Karl Joseph are all free agents this spring. Starters as well as depth are needed.
Other Canidates
Trey Dean, S, Florida
Background Check: 7th Round Last 6 Drafts
2022 | Chris Oladokum | QB | South Dakota State | 241th overall
2021 | Tre Norwood | DB | Oklahoma | 245th overall
2021 | Pressley Harvin III | P | Georgia Tech | 254th overall
2020 | Carlos Davis | DT | Nebraska | 232nd overall
2019 | Derwin Gray |OT | Maryland | 219th overall
2018 | Joshua Frazier | DT | Alabama | 246th overall
2017 | Keion Adams | OLB | Western Michigan |248th overall
Draft Needs: CB, S, TE
Pick Is In
Marte Mapu | Sacramento State | DB | Sr.
Mapu is considered one of the biggest NFL Combine snubs. His versatility is impressive. He excelled at both safety and linebacker with the Hornets. With Marcus Allen up for free agency, Mapu fits the mold of a player who could become a special teams ace as he develops into something much more. In truth it would be a big surprise if Mapu lasts until the final round of the NFL Draft.
Other Canidates
Conner Galvin, OT, Balyor
Background Check: 7th Round Last 6 Drafts
2022 | Chris Oladokum | QB | South Dakota State | 241st overall
2021 | Tre Norwood | DB | Oklahoma | 245th overall
2021 | Pressley Harvin III | P | Georgia Tech | 254th overall
2020 | Carlos Davis | DT | Nebraska | 232nd overall
2019 | Derwin Gray |OT | Maryland | 219th overall
2018 | Joshua Frazier | DT | Alabama | 246th overall
2017 | Keion Adams | OLB | Western Michigan |248th overall
Draft Needs: CB, S, TE
Pick Is In
Zack Kuntz | Old Dominion | TE | Jr.
Zach Gentry is a 6’8 at 265-pound free agent. Kuntz is a 6’8 and 251 possible replacement for Gentry a fifth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Other Canidates
Jamal Turner, TE, Toledo
