The Steelers' Simple Do's And Don'ts For The 2023 NFL Draft

It is officially crunch time for the Pittsburgh Steelers because we are now under two weeks until the start of the 2023 NFL Draft. Many questions are still being asked about what additions can put the Steelers over the edge to make them contenders. I'll be discussing what Pittsburgh can do through the draft to make the greatest impact not only to help them where they are now, but for the future of the organization as well.

Who the Steelers should not be going for in the draft

Take a Wide Receiver with Pick 17: 

Now I know many people are extremely high on the connection between Kenny Pickett and his former teammate Jordan Addison. The Steelers should not be going for him in the draft taking him at 17, just feels like too much of a risk. If Addison were to fall to 32 however, I would be perfectly fine if they wanted to get him and give Pickett his favorite weapon. Looking at this year's wide receiver class, there is only one player that I would not mind if they went within the first round. That player is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba has a sort of poise when he plays that makes him look like a first-round pick. No other wide receiver has that "it" factor that I see in Smith-Njigba.

The one player that I don't want more than anyone is Zay Flowers. I have seen several mock drafts that have him going to Pittsburgh, nonetheless at 17 and I think that it could be a big mistake. He reminds me of John Ross III and Wandale Robinson who gained all this hype leading up until the draft and never were able to fill a role as a star player.

Go with Nolan Smith in the First Round:

I get the fact that the Steelers need to add some depth to their edge rushers, but going with one in the first round just doesn't seem like the smart move. Nonetheless, taking a player who suffered a major injury. Nolan Smith most definitely has the potential to be an elite edge rusher in the NFL, but the hype he continues to receive is making me reconsider if I would want the Steelers to go with him. At one point, he was a projected second-round pick, which made me explore the possibility of bringing him to Pittsburgh, but with him expected to be a potential top-15 pick now, I am second-guessing my thinking.

Draft Interior Offensive Line Early:

Before this year's free agency, one of the players that I was very high on with pick 32 in the draft was interior offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence. But with how heavy the Steelers have hit the interior via the free agency, I have almost scrapped that idea completely. The likes of Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig should fill that position just fine.

Who the Steelers should be going for in the draft

Select Offensive Tackle if one of three are there at 17:

Taking an offensive tackle has been arguably one of the biggest topics mentioned for the Steelers in the draft. But for me, I am only going with tackle if there is one of three guys there when they draft at pick 17. Those three are Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson Jr., and Broderick Jones. Those three players really stand out to me as the best of the bunch. The only other player that I would be alright with is taking Darnell Wright. But being able to get the guy that can protect Pickett's blindside for years to come could and should be a huge get in this year's draft.

Address the Cornerback Position:

What may seem like a scary position for the Steelers to draft, they almost have to take at least one cornerback in the draft. Picking up Patrick Peterson in the offseason sets up this selection perfectly. Imagine letting Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, or Joey Porter Jr. learn off of a potential Hall of Fame player like Peterson. It could set the Steelers up for years to come in this position.

Selecting an Interior Defensive Lineman:

The last position that I think the Steelers need to take a look at is picking up an interior defensive lineman. It is obvious that Cameron Heyward is no spring chicken anymore, so it's time to look for the future. This draft can be where they get that guy. If the Steelers want to take someone with pick 17, I think that you have a good amount of people you could take. From Jalen Carter if he somehow falls that far, to a Pitt prospect in Calijah Kancey. 

Where I see Pittsburgh taking this position is with a second-round pick. The two players I see them going in the second round are Mazi Smith and Siaki Ika. Both are big-body players who could play like what the Steelers did with Casey Hampton.

So, what do you think Steeler Nation? What do you think is the most important position for the Steelers to draft this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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