M&M Mock Draft: Cornerback And Left Tackle Continue To Be Obvious Choices Early In The 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 offseason is in full swing, as the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing their homework on how to best improve their roster for 2023. Whether it is taking a hard look at the impending free agent class, or scouting the 2023 NFL Draft prospects, there is no doubt Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have their hands full. 

With all that said, that means that mock draft season is upon us. Each week, both Ben Michaelian and I will be teaming up to share a pair of mock drafts with all of Steeler Nation. We will be utilizing two separate mock draft simulators, one available at Fanspeak.com and the other at PFF.com, and alternating back and forth between them. Also, check out the Steeler Nation big board on Fanspeak's simulator!

This time of year, mock drafts can change from day to day, let alone week to week, as the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up and Pro Days will be heating up. Check out our two mock drafts from this week below, as Ben utilized PFF's simulator and I will be working with Fanspeak's.

Matt's Mock Draft For The Steelers

Matt's Thoughts

As we get closer to the draft, it becomes more clear what direction the Steelers are likely to head with their selections. Tomlin and company do not have a good poker face, and they don't care, as they are going to be as straight forward with their draft intentions as possible. However, unlike the last two years with Najee Harris and Kenny Pickett, there isn't a clear target for the team, at least not yet. With that said, six of the second selections I have in this mock either were in on pre-draft visits with the Steelers or had both Tomlin and Khan at their pro day, meaning there is heavy interest. 

I started off going with arguably the top offensive line prospect in the draft with Paris Johnson Jr. to be the team's anchor on the left said for the next decade. Tomlin and Khan were at Ohio State's Pro Day, as well as took Johnson out to dinner along side Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler. If he is there, I think it would be hard for the team to pass on someone with Johnson's skillset. Next I grabbed Deonte Banks to add to the secondary group, as the team has visited with eight cornerbacks so far, including Banks, which hints they might want one early in the draft. Banks is a great athlete that should be able to be inside/outside versatile if needed, so getting him at 32 overall would be a solid snag. 

I've received some flak in recent mocks for taking a tight end early, but I don't care and I am doing it again. Tight end in my opinion is still a position of need for a long term running mate next to Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington is a perfect compliment. He is an NFL ready run blocker at the tight end position, and is an excellent athlete which gives him a lot of upside and room to grow within the offense. After adding Washington I couldn't resist adding one of my favorite slot wide receiver options with the team's third round selection in Jayden Reed. The Steelers brought in Reed for a pre-draft visit and he would fill the void they have in the slot very well, giving Pickett a security blanket across the middle. 

After going with three of my first four picks on the offensive end, I stuck with defense the rest of the way, starting with Keondre Coburn out of Texas. Coburn is your traditional, run-stuffing, nose tackle that can absolutely manhandle opposing centers when he is able to lock out and fully engage them. He has short arms and has been pretty inconsistent, but watching him toss some talented offensive lineman around like they're weightless is enough for me to want him in the Black and Gold. He is the one member on this list that Tomlin or Khan have not met with either at a Pro Day or pre-draft visit. 

Lastly I pick up two guys the Steelers have brought in for visits in Daniel Scott and Robert Beal. Scott is an incredibly athletic and smart safety that should be able to stick around the league for a long time as a special teamer, with upside to develop into a team's starting strong safety. Long time is relative since he is almost 25 years old, which is why he likely is pretty far down draft boards. Beal could provide good edge depth, especially on early downs. He is a former 5-star recruit that never quite lived up to the billing, but is an intriguing height/weight/speed prospect. At a minimum he has the size, length, and strength to set the edge against the run. Steelers brought both of these guys in for pre-draft visits despite much other interest from outside teams. Think of a Mark Robinson in terms of late round option that the team showed interest in. 

Ben's Mock Draft For The Steelers

Ben's Thoughts:

This has to be one of my favorite mocks of the year. First, I was able to take some top-tier talent at cornerback in Deonte Banks. The Steelers’ secondary needs help on the outside and we all know head coach Mike Tomlin’s love affair with prospects out of Maryland. Banks checks all the boxes the Steelers need in a young cornerback who can develop into a lockdown starter for years to come. 

After Banks, I addressed the offensive tackle position in Anton Harrison. While I was looking for another possible defensive piece or wide receiver at this spot, I couldn’t pass up on Harrison. The Steelers have made it somewhat clear they are comfortable with their tackles heading into the season, but that hasn’t stopped their window-shopping efforts. Harrison met with the Steelers earlier this month and would be a solid piece to the offensive line. He’d be able to compete with Dan Moore Jr. for the starting left tackle spot to protect Kenny Pickett’s blindside. 

Next, I went back to the defensive side of the ball and double-dipped at the cornerback position with Julius Brents. Brents has been rising on a lot of team’s draft boards and for good reason. He’s a tough, physical player who thrives in zone coverage. He’s built for AFC north football and would be critical in rounding out the depth chart at the cornerback position. 

After Brents, I stayed on defense and selected Zacch Pickens to help bolster the defensive line. Although the Steelers have been active in free agency in the trenches, the fact they have met with four defensive tackles indicates they’re still looking in the draft, but just later than the first two picks. Pickens is a large presence inside and would be a great rotational contributor to help alleviate Breiden Fehoko at different points of the game. He’s quick off the snap and can beat one-on-one blocks with ease. 

Next, I took a sneaky-good slot receiver with Parker Washington. He’s a glider of a route runner and brings an element of toughness to the receiver position that Steelers fans love. The offense is still in need of an inside slot receiver and Washington is that guy. Not to mention, with it still being too early to determine how Calvin Austin III will be utilized in the offense, Washington would be a nice safety blanket to have in store. 

After Washington, I added depth to the safety position with Anthony Johnson Jr. He’s a cornerback who converted to safety, thus bringing versatility to his skillset. He’s physical enough to line up inside and play that slot corner or nickelback role, yet can still space out and play deeper coverage schemes. He’ll need to be coached up in his tackling and run defense, but at the 234th overall spot, Johnson Jr. is a great value pick. 

To finish out this mock, I added another Heisman finalist to the quarterback room with Max Duggan. Duggan had an historic season in 2022 and found himself playing in the National Championship game. His name has seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle with other marquee names getting the spotlight, but he’d be a solid depth piece behind Pickett and Mitch Trubisky. While I don’t think Duggan could be a starter at the position, he could bring some sense of reliability and mobility for a third quarterback on the roster. 

Let us know what you think of our mock drafts this week below!

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