With Bud Dupree Heading To The Falcons, Could The Steelers Land "Hercules" With Their First-Round Pick In The 2023 NFL Draft?

With the 2023 NFL Draft in just a couple of weeks, Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the final stages of compiling their "big board" of players that they are interested in. As the current roster stands, the two most glaring positional needs are offensive tackle and cornerback. Fortunately for the Steelers, this year's class is loaded in both of these groups. However, one position may serve as a dark-horse candidate for the Steelers' first-round selection, pass rusher. 

If the Steelers decide to spend one of their coveted first two picks on an edge rusher, there may not be a more intriguing prospect than former Iowa Hawkeyes' star, Lukas Van Ness. With the news of Bud Dupree signing with the Atlanta Falcons, there will unfortunately be no reunion between the two parties. This makes the idea of adding Van Ness even more of a possibility.

Would A First-Round Selection At Edge Rusher Be A Wasted Pick For The Steelers? 

The Steelers' defense already boasts one of the most dynamic pass-rushing duos in the entire NFL in TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. Both of these game-wreckers will be the starters at outside linebacker in 2023. However, beyond that, there are questions of whether or not the Steelers are willing to commit to Highsmith long-term as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. While the Steelers may ultimately decide to extend Highsmith this offseason, the idea of bringing in a player of Van Ness' caliber as an insurance policy is an interesting idea to consider. 

This draft strategy may be considered a stretch to some, but fans do not have to look far to see a similar situation unfold. Interestingly enough, it took place during the 2020 NFL Draft when the Steelers selected Highsmith in the third-round. The team already had TJ Watt and Bud Dupree on the roster. However, Dupree was playing the 2020 season on the Franchise Tag, meaning that would be a free agent after the season. Once the 2020 campaign commenced, the team was willing to let Dupree walk and have Highsmith take over the reins alongside Watt. Could Highsmith potentially fall victim to the same fate in 2023? According to 93.7 The Fan's, Andrew Fillipponi, it just might be a real possibility. 

How Would Van Ness Fit Within The Steelers' Defense? 

Van Ness played almost exclusively along the defensive line during his time at Iowa, but projects to be more of a defensive end/outside linebacker at the next level. During the 2023 NFL Combine, Van Ness put on a show, running his 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, which included a 1.64 10-yard split. At 6'5" and 270 pounds, he is an absolute specimen and has the potential to be an incredibly disruptive pass rusher in the NFL. He is well deserving of the nickname, "Hercules," given to him by one of his college teammates. 

While Van Ness does not fit the traditional mold of an outside linebacker for the Steelers, having the ability to sit behind Highsmith for a year may do wonders for his long-term development. Additionally, he would be able to provide meaningful snaps during his rookie season as a rotational pass rusher, finally providing an answer to who the team will use as their third edge defender in 2023. His versatility in playing multiple positions is certainly a plus as well. If the Steelers can somehow find a way to have Van Ness, Watt, and Highsmith on the field all at the same time, it may make for one of the most feared pass rushes in the entire NFL. 

All Eyes On The 2023 NFL Draft

The Steelers adding a pass rusher with their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft would certainly not answer their most pressing positional need, but it would certainly improve the overall level of play for the defense. Van Ness is one of the most physically dominating players in this year's class and possesses all the necessary attributes to be a star at the next level. 

While the team would need to make a concerted effort to figure out how exactly to best utilize him, there is no denying the talent Van Ness would bring to the table. If he does end up falling to the Steelers at pick #17, or perhaps even #32, the team may have to seriously consider adding him to an already star-studded defense. Hercules would be a natural fit in the black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Alright, yinz. How do you feel about Van Ness as a possible first-round selection? Would you consider it to be a wasted pick? Do you want the Steelers to end up extending Highsmith to a long-term deal? Let us know in the comments! 

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