These 4 Playmakers Have Risen From The Dead On The Steelers' Draft Board

With just over two weeks left before the opening night of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers are making their final efforts in their pre-draft preparations. We’ve seen the Steelers’ brass featuring General Manager Omar Khan, Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin make their rounds to various college Pro Days. 

In Pittsburgh, we’ve seen a plethora of prospective draft picks visit the facility and meet with the team. In what is shaping to be another critical draft to get the team over the playoff hump, the Steelers need to be diligent in their analysis and we’re seeing they’re not leaving any stone unturned. So, after the NFL Combine, the Pro Day circuit, and nearing the end of prospect meetings, who has a good chance of getting called with the 17th, 32nd, or 49th overall selections?

In light of this Holiday weekend, let’s take a look at how the draft is shaping up for the Steelers in two parts. In this list, let’s take a look at whose early-round chances have ‘risen’ to the top of the board. 

Who has RISEN on the Steelers’ draft board?

Kelee Ringo, Cornerback

We are all too aware of the Steelers’ dire needs in the secondary. They watched Cam Sutton leave for greener pastures in Detroit and only have Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon, and James Pierre left on the depth chart. Although they signed free agent Patrick Peterson earlier in the offseason, there is still a void in the creation of a strong rotation at the position.

Kelee Ringo started as one of those names floating around the Top 40 list at the start of the combine. But as he’d garnered more attention, he’s caught the eye of Tomlin and the Steelers. He’s a big, physical cornerback who is effective in both press-man and zone coverage. Tomlin has been vocal of his desire for rookie defenders who are versatile within schemes and Ringo fits that mold. After visiting him at his Pro Day in March, the Steelers hosted Ringo for dinner earlier this month making him a promising name to see come picks 17 and 32.

Keeanu Benton, Defensive Tackle

The Steelers’ defensive front remains in need of some help. Last month, Larry Ogunjobi agreed to return to Pittsburgh which was monumental in the construction of the defensive line for 2023. In addition, the welcomed acquisition of big-man Breiden Fehoko was a solid start at bolstering the interior of the line. However, there is still a pressing need for rotational players. DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk are holding steady on the depth chart, but it is clear the Steelers are looking to improve in the trenches and are window shopping defensive tackles.

Keeanu Benton is slated to touch down in Pittsburgh to meet with the team leading up to the draft. He’s a mountain of a man, clocking in at 6’4” and weighing 309 pounds. He plays mostly inside due to his size and is able to eat blocks to open up gaps for other defenders to get home. Benton was a steady starter during his time at Wisconsin and the Steelers have a special love affair for those blue-collar, gritty players from the north. Even with the addition of Fehoko, it is clear the Steelers are still looking for added bulk along the interior of the line. Benton started the pre-draft process hovering around the third round, but has found himself deep in the second round conversation.

Jonathan Mingo, Wide Receiver

Even after double-dipping at the receiver position in 2022, the Steelers’ receiving corps still needs help. We still don’t know what Calvin Austin III is going to bring to the offense and there is very little depth behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Also, the Steelers have drafted 18 different receivers since 2007, so history tells us we can expect another in 2023. This is why we should be paying attention to the meeting the Steelers hosted with Jonathan Mingo.

Mingo started relatively quiet on a lot of boards, but has picked up some draft stock as of late. He’s a large, physical receiver who tested well at his Pro Day in March. Steelers fans fell in love with Pickens’ blocking ability last year and will find those similar traits in Mingo. He’s a great route runner who can create separation at the top of his routes to work his way back to the quarterback on scramble drills. Downfield, he has elite-level ball-tracking ability and is great at high-pointing the ball and making the catch. He should remind us of another sleeper receiver prospect we saw in 2019 by the name of D.K. Metcalf.

Julius Brents, Cornerback

With the Steelers carrying eight meetings with cornerbacks on the books, they’re starting to show some of their hand in their approach to the draft. We talked about Ringo being of high interest to the Steelers with their first two picks, but Julius Brents is flirting just beyond that who could be there at the 49th overall spot. On paper, Brents and the Steelers look like a match made in heaven.

Brents is one of the biggest cornerback prospects available in the draft, standing 6’3” and weighing right around 200 pounds. He plays with tremendous physicality and tenacity and is exactly what the Steelers look for in a cornerback. Brents thrives in a zone-coverage scheme, which plays right into how the Steelers like to run their defense. The Steelers hosted Brents in Pittsburgh for a Top 30 meeting earlier this month, so the mutual interest is very much alive. If there was any prospect listed outside of the top 25 who would fit best with the Steelers, it would be Brents.

Who has risen on your board? Who else do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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