The NFL Combine is over. The first phases of free agency are over. Most Pro Days are over and the Annual League Meetings have concluded. That means we are inching closer to the NFL Draft for 2023.
As is always the case when I do these, I am selecting based strictly on what I believe Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and company will do rather than what I myself would do. These early mock drafts also cannot anticipate what free agent moves the Steelers do either which greatly impacts their draft strategy. Here we go with version 3.0 for 2023.
Round 1 Pick 17: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Steelers get lucky as one of the top tackles falls to them. Jones is a highly athletic young man with a basketball background. Both his hands and feet are well above average and his ability in one-on-one situations is really strong. He has room to grow both with strength and experience having just two years under his belt at the position. He is however an immediate upgrade over Dan Moore.
Mock 1.0 Round One Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Mock 2.0 Round One Kylee Ringo, CB, Georgia (Following Trade down)
Round 2 Pick 32: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Forbes is by no means a perfect player because there are questions about his ability to support the run, but… The guy is an absolute ball-hawk and the willingness to improve his game is there. He has tremendous length and speed and creates extremely difficult throwing lanes for QBs. He has shown the ability to play both in man and zone and while there might be some bumps in the road, I think long-term he’s going to be a great selection.
Mock 1.0 Round Two Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Mock 2.0 Round Two O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Round 2 Pick 49: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
The Steelers are still looking to get younger on the defensive line and Smith is a space-eater. He has to find more consistency to his game because there are times when he’s unblockable and others where he seems to be going through the motions. His size and athleticism are too much to pass on and Andy Weidl knows good teams are built on the lines.
Mock 1.0 Round Two Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
mock 2.0 Round Two Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
Round 3 Pick 80: Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
With Keanu Neal in Pittsburgh, it lessons the urgent demand for a Terrell Edmunds replacement, but only slightly. Brown is a thumper which can produce big hits but also some missed tackles. He’s played center-field and in the box so he has some versatility but he’s able to cover and is overall, strong against the run.
Mock 1.0 Round Three Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Mock 2.0 Round Three Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Round 4 Pick 120: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Many will see this as ‘too high’ for Reed, but with no selections in rounds five or six, the Steelers need to strike here. Reed is not a burner, but he’s a highly competitive receiver who has played well in big games. He’s quick off the line and has had some solid success as a punt returner too with three career TD returns. With uncertainty around Calvin Austin III, Reed could fit as a possession-type slot guy or play on the boundary when needed.
Mock 1.0 Round Four Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Mock 2.0 Round Four Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah
Round 7 Pick 234: Davis Allen, TE, Clemson
Do the Steelers need a tight end? Not necessarily with Zach Gentry returning but… Connor Heyward is clearly a guy who can play some FB/H-Back and out of the slot but he’s not a traditional in-line tight end. Allen has a big frame at 6’6″ but must add strength. Right now, he’s strictly a receiving tight end but he’s damn good at it. The willingness to block is there, the weight and strength must come along too.
Mock 1.0 Round Seven Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
Mock 2.0 Round Seven Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green
Round 7 Pick 241: Cam Jones, LB, Indiana
When you get to this point, you’re looking for guys who can excel on Special Teams and also be a reserve at times on offense or defense. Jones seems to fit this. He’s not your classically built linebacker but he finds ways to make plays. At the NFL level, he’ll need to learn how to avoid blocks better but he should have time to develop.