In the rare occurrence that the Pittsburgh Steelers have practically two first-round picks (Pick 17 and 32) in this year's NFL Draft, many hope that they can make some big splashes in the draft. Last year, they were able to get their franchise quarterback in Kenny Pickett, this year it is time to fill all the holes to make this team Super Bowl caliber. Recently Pro Football Focus made a three-round AFC North mock draft that could fulfill all of Pittsburgh's needs.
Keith Srakocic / AP Photo
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett throws a pass against North Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 30-23 in overtime.
Steelers will have a hole to fill
With Pittsburgh's first pick in PFF's draft, they have the Steelers taking cornerback Deonte Banks from Maryland. After losing last year's best cornerback Cameron Sutton, the Steelers will have a hole to fill in his replacement. With the cornerback position being very deep as well in the 2023 Draft, it would be no surprise if the Steelers take one in the first round. After having a very solid combine performance, Banks could be the guy that ends up as Pittsburgh's first pick. PFF had this to say about the selection:
"Despite adding Patrick Peterson in free agency, cornerback is both a short- and long-term need for the Steelers this offseason. Banks had an impressive showing at the NFL Combine and is coming off a season where he allowed a catch on just 43.3% of the passes thrown into his coverage, the second-best mark among all draft-eligible Big 10 cornerbacks."
Rohan Pandit/The Diamondback
Deonte Banks swats a pass from Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud during Maryland football's 43-30 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2022.
Round two for the Steelers in PFF's draft adds some big names with the big boys. First, with pick 32, they go with Dawand Jones from Ohio State. A guy that can play about anywhere on an offensive line, would be seen to play in the left tackle position if he were to come over to Pittsburgh. At 32 would be a great value pick-up as he is seen to go in the first round. PFF had this to say about it:
"Looking to the trenches in Round 2, the Steelers add two of the biggest athletes in the class. Jones could hear his name called in the first round, so it would be a great value add at the top of Round 2."
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Ohio State's Dawand Jones falls to his knees in celebration after defeating Notre Dame on Sept. 3, 2022.
With pick 49 in the second round, they go with another big guy, just on the opposite side of the ball. They have Pittsburgh taking the 350+ pound defensive tackle out of Baylor, Siaki Ika. Ika is a mammoth of a man and could even possibly be a bigger version of Casey Hampton that we had in the 2000's. PFF stated this about Ika:
"Ika is a slight reach, based on the PFF big board, but he was impressive as a pass-rusher from the nose tackle position in college, registering 59 total pressures from 656 pass-rushing snaps across his four seasons at LSU and Baylor."
Rod Aydelotte / Tribune-Herald
Baylor junior noseguard Siaki “Apu” Ika has emerged as one of the best defensive linemen in the country after making all-Big 12 last season.
The last pick that they have the Steelers taking in the third round is wide receiver Nathaniel "Tank" Dell from Houston. A 5'10" wide receiver, Dell had an impressive showing in 2022 putting up almost 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. One thing to note with this as well is that the Steelers are almost always great at developing WR's, so who is to say that he isn't the next guy that Pittsburgh helps shape?
Maria Lysaker / USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) receives a pass as Temple Owls cornerback Elijah Clark (20) applies pressure during the third quarter at TDECU Stadium.
So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? What position is most needed in Pittsburgh? Who do you want to see drafted? Let me know in the comments below!
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