It is never too early to be looking ahead to the Pittsburgh Steelers off-season, especially when the playoffs seem so out of reach. The team has several spots that need to be addressed in 2023. And while free agency comes first, April's NFL Draft will be pivotal to building depth and finding potential star power to join the starting lineup right away.
The offensive and defensive lines, cornerback position and linebacker are all areas the team needs to improve. Some of the best college prospects will play on New Year's Eve in the College Football Playoffs and each university has a player the organization should be eyeing up.
Omar Khan is introduced as the Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager at a press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Friday, May 27, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
The University of Georgia is the top seed and will face Ohio State University in the number one versus the number four matchup and there are plenty of guys on each team that will draw attention. But two, in particular, Pittsburgh could look to target in the top half of the first round.
1.) Kelee Ringo, CB - Georgia
Ringo is a lockdown defender who has four interceptions and a pick-six, which occurred in last year's Championship Game, in the last two seasons for the Bulldogs. He is a huge body at 6'2, and 205 pounds and would immediately be one of the tallest cornerbacks in the NFL. He has played against the best competition in all of college football in the SEC and has the exact physicality and man-to-man coverage abilities that the Steelers desperately need.
He will have to work on his tendency of being aggressive at the wrong times, but the upside is tremendous. Pittsburgh has longed for years for a true shutdown corner. Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton have been good in recent years, but the franchise hasn't drafted a member of this part of the secondary in the top two rounds since 2016, and we all know how that worked out with Artie Burns. Ringo could bloom into a star in the Steel City.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after getting an interception and scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
2.) Paris Johnson Jr., OT - Ohio State
Dan Moore Jr. was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has shown flashes of having franchise left tackle potential, but he has made way too many mistakes in his second year to convince the organization that he is the one who should protect Quarterback, Kenny Pickett for the next decade. At 6'6, 315 pounds, Johnson Jr. has started every game for the Buckeyes since the 2021 season began, although 2022 is his first at left tackle.
He is an exceptional run blocker but has had stints of inconsistency protecting the quarterback in the passing game. He is the top left tackle prospect heading into 2023 along with Northwestern's, Peter Skoronski. He is extremely athletic and depending on where Pittsburgh ends up in the draft order, could be the perfect fit depending on what other names are on the board. He will need to develop at first, just as all rookies, but has a tremendous upside.
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29: Paris Johnson Jr. #77 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022, in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
In the number two versus number three matchup, the University of Michigan will take on Texas Christian University. Neither team has a player who will be a top priority for the Steelers specifically with pick number 12, but there are a couple of guys who should have the attention of the Steelers' front office.
3.) Mazi Smith, DL - Michigan
To put it most bluntly, Smith is a large dude. He weighs over 335 pounds and at 6'3 is a monster on the inside. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 and had 45 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and .5 sacks. He is exactly what the Steelers could use on the interior defensive line next to Cameron Heyward. Smith is extremely strong and has the ability to get push almost immediately, something Pittsburgh has had trouble with at times this season.
Having another serious presence on the inside would take some attention off of Heyward and the front four of the two big men along with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith could be a lethal combination. Smith doesn't have above-average arm length which could possibly hurt his chances of being effective against bigger and longer offensive linemen, but he will be stronger than the average quarterback protector. He should be available midway through the second round and Khan would be foolish not to at least take a look at him.
4.) Quentin Johnston, WR - TCU
Johnston absolutely could and should be a first-round pick, but it's hard to believe he wouldn't be at reach that early for the Steelers at number 12. He could come into play, however, at number 33 if he unexpectedly falls. Pittsburgh has the Chicago Bears' second-round pick after trading Wide Receiver, Chase Claypool back in November. Johnston has 53 catches for 903 yards and five touchdowns this season and is a huge target at 6'4.
WACO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball against cornerback AJ McCarty #19 of the Baylor Bears and linebacker Matt Jones #2 of the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on November 19, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh should also keep an eye on TCU Cornerback, Noah Daniels. He is likely to go late on day two and if the secondary isn't boosted in the first round, he could be a target, and maybe even on day three. He doesn't have an interception throughout his collegiate career but is a solid tackler and a great athlete. It would probably be a reach for the Steelers to take him on one of the first two days, but he could be a mid to late-round option if he hangs around.
What players do you think the Steelers should be watching during the College Football Playoff? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
