As hard as it is to believe, this week officially kicks off the ‘formal’ draft preparation process for the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new duo of general manager, Omar Khan and assistant general manager, Andy Weidl, is well under way in their preparation for the next few months leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft at the end of April. In those upcoming months, there is a variety of different showcase opportunities for draft prospects to show off for team scouts and build momentum heading into their respective Pro Day’s in the spring.
Credit: Steelers.com
With this year being the first without the guidance of former general manager, Kevin Colbert, Khan and Weidl are taking advantage of the runway of time they have in building their big board. Steelers’ president, Art Rooney II alluded to their efforts last week:
“We have work to do in terms of putting the roster back together, nothing unusual there. Have some high draft choices that we have Omar and Andy working on outing together the draft plan. And so, a lot of new faces in our draft room this year, so it’ll be interesting to see how they all come together and work on our draft. So it’ll be a bit different without Kevin in the room… it’ll be interesting to see how all that unfolds.”
Rooney II continued his eagerness of seeing how Khan and Weidl approach this off-season’s draft preparation:
“For me, it hasn’t been dramatically different so far. We’re only at the beginning as far my getting involved paying attention to the draft. I’m excited to see, like I said, new guys in the room and hearing some different opinions. Looking forward to it.”
The Steelers will have their first chance to see a few names on their initial watch list this week at the 2023 Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl is an annual showcase for invited college seniors to get a jump on their draft stock before the NFL combine. Last year, the Steelers were able to get good insight on Kenny Pickett, Connor Heyward, and Calvin Austin III. Just a year prior in 2021, they were able to see Tre Norwood, Quincy Roche, and Najee Harris. If you notice that trend, there is a good chance the Steelers use several draft picks on players who will be participating in the festivities this week. Therefore, who could be on Khan’s and Weidl’s list this year? Let’s take a look at some names to watch.
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee, Projected 2nd to 3rd Round
Coming out of high school as a five-star recruit, Wright had an impressive career at Tennessee. He bounced back and forth between left tackle and right tackle going back to his freshman year, but ended 2022 on the right side of the offensive line. For the Steelers, Chukwuma Okorafor currently holds that spot, but there is no doubt the Steelers need to bolster the offensive front for Pickett’s sophomore campaign.
Credit: University of Tennessee Athletics
Wright’s size is what jumps off the tape first. He stands at 6’6” and is entering the Senior Bowl weighing roughly 335 pounds. For comparison, Okorafor measures 6’6” and weighs 320 pounds. Wright didn’t surrender a sack for the entire 2022 season and excels in his pass protection ability. Plus, the fact he played on both sides of the line throughout college adds a desirable level of versatility that scouts like to see in young players. Wright will need to show improvement in his run blocking ability and his ability to be quick off the ball given his size this week to improve his draft stock. If he is able to do so, Wright’s name will start to float to the top of a lot of teams’ lists.
Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn, Projected 3rd to 4th Round
While I know the EDGE position isn’t necessarily high up on the Steelers’ priority list, last season proved depth is critical at the position. Not to mention, with the elite level at which Alex Highsmith as been playing, there may not be enough cap space to secure Highsmith beyond his rookie contract. Although Roche has rejoined the team, Hall could be a nice developmental piece to take over should Highsmith decide to leave for greener pastures.
Credit: Auburn University Athletics
Hall brings a lot of power to his game. He isn’t going to be that speed rusher off the end who dips he shoulders under the offensive tackle and get into the backfield. Instead, Hill uses his strong burst off the line combined with his strength and long arms to force himself behind the line and disrupt the play. He plays with a high motor and was a favorite in the locker room. Hill was voted as team captain in 2022 and was a noticeable leader on defense. He isn’t ready to challenge Highsmith for the starting spot opposite of T.J. Watt any time soon, but he has all of the right pieces to build on to grow into a solid defender along the line.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi, Projected 4th to 5th Round
There is no question the Steelers need depth at the wide receiver position in 2023. In 2022, we saw a pair of young receivers added to the receiving corps in George Pickens and Austin III. But when Austin III was forced to miss the season due to injury and the team trading Chase Claypool for what is now the 32nd overall pick in the draft, Khan and Weidl will be looking to replenish the pipeline at receiver with a mid-round value pick. This is where Mingo comes in.
Credit: Ole Miss Athletics
The slot position in the offense was no-man’s land in 2022. Claypool started there, but has since been seemingly vacant after his departure. At 6’2” and weighing 225 pounds, Mingo is a matchup nightmare inside. He lined up all over the formation in college and showed ability in running a fairly expansive route tree. At the next level, there is a good chance Mingo sees success at the slot position. Mingo isn’t going to take the top off a defense or gallop past defensive backs downfield, but he’s dangerous with the ball after the catch and can use his size to gain extra yards after catch (YAC). Similar to what we saw with Pickens, Mingo is an effective blocker in the run game and is able to clear a run lane in the second level. He has had his fair share of injury struggles in college, which is why he’ll most likely wait later in the draft to hear his name called.
Zacch Pickens, IDL, South Carolina, Projected 4th to 5th Round
There is a large need for the Steelers along the defensive front. For the last couple of drafts, they’ve tried to prepare themselves for this instance in the selections of Isiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal. In addition, the acquisitions of Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, Tyson Alualu, and Montravius Adams also proved to be valuable. But with Ogunjobi, Wormley, and Alualu set to be free agents this off-season, the need to add to the defensive line at a discount is paramount in 2023. The obvious goal of every draft is to find value in every round, so it would make sense to consider a familiar name in the heart of the draft.
Credit: Dwayne McLemore/The State
Standing at 6’4” and weighing 305 pounds, Pickens is a large force on the line. He enters the Senior Bowl as arguably one of the defensive linemen who brings the most value in the draft. His skillset features a unique blend of power, speed, and physicality and finds success in both run and pass defense. But with that said, there is a lot to work on for Pickens that scouts will be looking for in this week’s practice sessions. First, Pickens has trouble staying with the play and taking on double teams.
There have been instances where his first move was ineffective in getting past the blocker and left him out of the play. He has trouble splitting double teams and gets blown off the line as a result. He tends to struggle to play below pad level and leads to him getting stood up against a rush attack. He has a solid burst off the line, but isn’t always consistent in getting pressure on the quarterback each play. Pickens has a lot of work to do, but he has all of the right traits to nurture him into a steady three-down lineman in the NFL.
Make sure to follow us throughout the draft process for insight into other big names the Steelers are tracking! Who are you watching in the Senior Bowl? Which of these prospects do you like most? Let us know in the comments below!
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