Steelers Receive Massive Haul Including Multiple Starters In Latest ESPN 2023 Mock Draft

With the NFL free agency pool and period getting slimmer, it's time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Linebacker, safety, and a starting left tackle are just a couple of the positions needed for the Steelers. With that, Jordan Reid with ESPN released his current seven-round draft, and this is what he went with for Pittsburgh.

Huge pick up for the Steelers

With pick 17 for the Steelers, they have them taking offensive tackle Darnell Wright for Tennessee. Some consider him possibly the best offensive tackle in this year's draft and would be a huge pickup for the Steelers. What made him really stand out to me as a top tackle is in the game against Alabama. It looked like he almost dominated projected top-five pick Will Anderson Jr. throughout the whole game. He would definitely be a guy that I would not mind seeing in Pittsburgh to protect Kenny Pickett. This is what ESPN had to say about the selection:

"Adding offensive tackle help around quarterback Kenny Pickett is crucial for the Steelers. The addition of guard Isaac Seumalo means the interior of the line is set, but they need to add left tackle competition for Dan Moore."

"Wright would give Pittsburgh a young dependable tackle option. He started 42 games in college, including 27 at right tackle. His top traits are his strength, physicality and sustain-and-strain ability. Wright's ascension since 2021 arguably has been the highest of any prospect in this class. There are several teams that view him as a prospect who can play either tackle spot or guard at a high level as a rookie." 

With pick 32 which the Steelers received from trading Chase Claypool, they select safety Brian Branch out of Alabama. In a secondary that lacks a good amount of depth, Branch would be an amazing pick-up to fill the holes. With the Steelers losing Terrell Edmunds this offseason as well, Branch would be the perfect candidate to fill the role. The only thing with him, however, is that I am not too certain that he will be able to fall to 32. ESPN stated this about his potential in Pittsburgh:

"The Steelers have a big hole at nickel corner after Cam Sutton signed with the Lions in free agency. Branch is an ideal replacement. He has the versatility and physicality to step in as a rookie and compete for a starting position. This secondary lacks high-end talent and depth."

At pick 49 of the second round, ESPN has the Steelers taking Trenton Simpson, a linebacker out of Clemson. With Pittsburgh being able to replace two of their linebackers this offseason, being able to gain one more solid linebacker through the draft can help the team. Personally, Jack Campbell is my favorite prospect out of all the linebackers, but the addition of Simpson who can do a little bit of everything would be useful as well. ESPN had this to say about the talent of Simpson:

"The Steelers added inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts this offseason, overhauling the second level of the defense. They don't have a versatile linebacker who can play multiple spots, however. That's Simpson, a jack-of-all-trades defender who can cause problems as a blitzer and make plays in space."

Looking at pick 80 in the third round for the Steelers, they take a player I haven't seen projected too much to go to Pittsburgh. It has them taking Darius Rush a cornerback from South Carolina. Rush has been a player that seems to be overlooked throughout this draft process. That may have to do with how deep the cornerback class is this year or the fact that his teammate Cam Smith has taken all of the spotlight as he is projected to be drafted in the first round. ESPN stated this about Rush:

"Veteran Patrick Peterson is a dependable stopgap cornerback for Pittsburgh in 2023, but the Steelers should look to the future with one of their Day 2 picks. Six-foot-2 Rush, who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, could develop into a solid outside corner."

At pick 120 the Steelers select edge rusher Caleb Murphy from Ferris State. A player that dominated at the Division II level, and would be a great addition to fill depth. The big question with players like him is whether or not the talent they put up in D2 will translate over to the NFL.

With pick 234 in the seventh round, the Steelers select Brodric Martin an interior defensive lineman from Western Kentucky. The Steelers have gotten lucky taking a defensive end in the seventh round who panned out well in Brett Keisel. Who is to say Martin won't?

The last pick that they have the Steelers picked with pick 241 is wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper from Fresno State. It wouldn't be a Pittsburgh draft unless they took a wide receiver. Moreno-Cropper seems like a very reliable pass catcher and could be used as a solid depth guy.

So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Who would you like to see drafted? Let me know in the comments below!

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