The Steelers Could Have Several Promising Penn State Nittany Lions In Mind For The 2023 NFL Draft Other Than Joey Porter Jr.

April of 2023 is nearly upon us and that means the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the home stretch when it comes to prospect analysis and putting together a draft board. It has been a very strong free agency for the organization as the team addressed several needs. It has put them in a great position come draft day and unlike the last two seasons, who is targeted to be the first round selection for the franchise is truly anyone's guess up to this point. One name consistently being thrown out there is the Penn State University's, Joey Porter Jr. 

Porter Jr. could absolutely be a fit as both defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin and secondary coach, Grady Brown were in attendance for his pro day not too long ago. Cornerback is certainly a need, but Penn state also has plenty of other prospects that could be good options for the Steelers later on in the draft.

1.) Juice Scruggs - IOL

Currently, the only true center who is likely to be on the 2023 roster is Mason Cole. James Daniels would currently be the emergency center so it's safe to assume the team is going to want someone behind Cole as Daniels is preferred to stay at the right guard position. This is, of course, assuming the organization moves on from third-round bust, Kendrick Green.

Scruggs isn't worth a day one or two selection, but he could be an option in the fifth if Pittsburgh is actively trading on draft weekend, looking to pick up some more capital. He's unlikely to get all the way to the seventh so it may not be a match simply because of where his stock currently lies.

2.) Parker Washington - WR

The Steelers wide receiver room has potential, but is nowhere close to where it needs to be. Several pass catchers have been linked to Pittsburgh since the end of the 2022 season and it seems as if adding one via free agency is out of the question. Washington may be a perfect option in the fourth round.

His numbers in college won't pop out at you, but he would be a great option in the slot and push Calvin Austin III as both would be playing in their first NFL season. He has big-play return ability and pairs that with great hands, an area that the Steelers have certainly struggled in the last few seasons.

3.) Ji'Ayir Brown - S

After Terrell Edmunds ultimately chose to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles instead of Pittsburgh, there is now a big gap in the secondary with the only two reliable safeties being Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee. Brown is consistently being projected in between the 80th and 120th overall selections that Pittsburgh has so it may be a reach or the front office could be hoping he falls well into the fourth round.

Brown had an awesome final season with the Nittany Lions. He ended up finishing the 2022 campaign with 4.5 sacks and four interceptions. He also had seven tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. He has the upside and potential to be a great partner in crime for Fitzpatrick going forward.

Steelers Have More Options From Penn State Other Than Porter Jr.

The story of Porter Jr. being drafted by the same team his dad won a Super Bowl with is a great one, but it may not be the perfect fit in reality. The other Penn State players are, arguably, more of a possibility given their draft projections and Pittsburgh's needs. This is the deepest cornerback class in years, but the positions listed above don't have as many options. Keep an eye out for those three names.

Do you want the Steelers to pass on Porter Jr. if he is available at #17? Do you like any other Nittany Lions? Let us know in the comments below!

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