2023 Steelers Mock Draft

Published April 26th, 10:25 EDT

by Bo Marchionte

Pre-draft meetings with NFL teams might be the most well protected verbal exchanges between media and staff. Information regarding their intentions about the NFL Draft is highly classified. The access of valuable tidbits or nuggets of use are extremely rare.

Monday the Steelers hosted media to engage with coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan. Typical draft lingo for a little over a half-hour as the pair responded to a room crammed with about 50 media members or more.

Personally, one of my favorite pressers of the year. It’s the draft! The excitement of hearing the folks who call the shots reveal tiny slices into the inner workings of how NFL teams operate is an absolute pleasure to attend.

“I’ll say this before Thursday we will have been in contact with all 31 teams,” Khan said. “There not just there yet.”

This is Khan’s first draft under the general manager title and Steelers fans might witness a different experience when the NFL Draft begins this Thursday in Kansas City. Khan has mentioned that he’ll leave no stone unturned if an opportunity to improve comes along he’ll show no fear in pulling the trigger on a deal.

“I probably am aggressive,” Khan said during his podium appearance at the NFL Combine earlier this year. “I’m a big believer in listening to every opportunity and then thinking it through, talking it over with my staff and making the right decision. But yeah, I’m open to anything.”

The Steelers currently reside at 17^th overall in the first round. With the luxury first pick overall in the second round via the Chase Claypool trade last season, Pittsburgh has plenty of options available.

“Being in that position (17^th) and acknowledging we are not quarterback shopping,” Tomlins said. “That position might be one that attracts quarterback shoppers. So, it’s exciting to see what might transpire with some of those phone calls and the value we might be able to get. It’s a unique position for us to be in and we are very excited about it.”

That is about the only nugget I felt might have some real insight on how Thursday night unfolds. It might project the possible landing spots for quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Hendon Hooker. The late teen numbers might be the area most saturated with needed clubs eyeing the rookie quarterbacks.

Pick Is In |17 Overall

Darnell Wright | OT | Tennessee | Sr.

David DeCastro was the last first round selection dedicated to improving the offensive line. Two years prior to that it was center Maurkice Pouncey. With both players several years into retirement the Steelers must begin revamping a unit that has lacked upper echelon talent via the NFL Draft for nearly a decade.

Pittsburgh currently has no lineman drafted in the first-round on their roster, well until they draft this former Vols offensive lineman. A mountain of a man at 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds, who blazed a 5.01 forty at the NFL Combine. Najee Harris will enjoy getting behind him as his lead blocker. This is considered an extremely deep defensive back class, leaving the first pick in the second round as a great option to address the secondary. 

Other Canidates
Joey Porter Jr. DB

Pick Is In | 32 overall

Brian Branch | DB | Georgia | Jr.

The last time the Steelers took a defensive player in the second round of an NFL Draft was in 2016 with the selection of Sean Davis. So, let’s stick with that side of the ball with this pick. Branch is one of the hardest players to value in terms of how teams project him. With more teams in nickel than base packages coincide with what Branch does best. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Branch share many similarities which would bold well for Pittsburgh.

Other Canidates
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnestoa

Pick Is In | 49 overall

BJ Ojulari| OLB | LSU | Jr.

BJ Ojulari is the brother of Azeez Ojulari, who was drafted by the New York Giants as a second-round pick in 2021. Ojulari made first-team All-SEC status in 2022, starting 11 games (58 tackles, 8.5 for loss with 5.5 sacks). Alex Highsmith will be a free agent in 2024 and the possibly of him hitting the open market gives Pittsburgh some insurance. 

Other Canidates
Tuli Tuipulotu, OLB, USC

Pick Is In | 80 overall

Dawand Jones |OT | Ohio State | Sr.

Is 6-foot-8 and 374 pounds big enough for yah? Jones is massive and this might be a real steal if he lingers this last in the draft.  Amongst the players signed this off-season, eight of the contracts are at least two years with the longest duration of three years max. Six of the eight contract extended beyond one year fortify positions on the defense with the two-remaining residing to the offensive line unit. Pittsburgh has done of off-season remodeling but you can never have enough good offensive lineman. 

Other Canidates
Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State 

Pick Is In | 120 overall

Kei’ Trel Clark| DB| Lousiville | Sr.

If Tomlin envisions having another Mike Hilton on his roster then Louisville slot corner Kei’Trel Clark could satisfy his appetite. Mirror images of one another (in my opinion), Clark exhibits that exact tenacity and passion Hilton has shown throughout his career.

“I’m a pest bro,” Clark said from the podium at the NFL Combine. “Like I’m a pest around the ball.”

Clark relishes in the role of being counted out and unnoticed. It fuels his eternal flame that is protected by the Hamsa Hand necklace he wears to ward off evil spirits.

“I’ve been the underdog since I came out of the womb, you feel me,” Clark said. “I’m really an underdog. I’m still an underdog till this day and even in this draft.”

Clark projects to be in the mix between rounds four through six so this isn’t a crazy option for Pittsburgh to nab their next fearless nickelback.  Mitchell Trubisky hits free agency next spring and Pittsburgh could be looking for a mid-round replacement. 

Other Canidates
Aiden O’Connell, QB, Purdue