Steelers: Seven-round mock draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers are armed with seven selections in the 2023 NFL Draft and a variety of needs across the board. With three picks in the top 50 selections, the Steelers have a chance to change the direction of the franchise if they can hit on even two of their three picks at 17, 32, […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are armed with seven selections in the 2023 NFL Draft and a variety of needs across the board.
With three picks in the top 50 selections, the Steelers have a chance to change the direction of the franchise if they can hit on even two of their three picks at 17, 32, and 49.
With that in mind, here is a full seven-round mock draft, through the lens of looking for day-one starters and solid-depth pieces.
Steelers: Seven-round mock draft
Pick 17: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
At over 6 feet and nearly 200 pounds, Banks had the best athletic testing score amongst all cornerback prospects at the 2023 NFL Combine per Next Gen Stats. Those numbers included:
- 4.35 40-yard dash
- 1.49 10-yard split
- 42' vert
- 11'4'' broad
Slated at 23 on the consensus board, Banks may be rising fast, making him an easy choice if the board falls the Steelers way.
Pick 32: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Branch is one of my favorite prospects in this class, he played the "star" position in Nick Saban's defense, one that current Steeler Minkah Fitzpatrick played as well.
Branch was once touted as a potential first-round pick, but in my opinion some overthink is occurring following his NFL Combine performance.
At 6'0 and 190 pounds, Branch only ran a 4.58 and scored 24th amongst defensive back prospects in athleticism score during his workout in Indianapolis.
But that's not Branch's game. Instead, he would replace the hole left by Edmunds, not with sheer athleticism, but will some of the best instincts and football intelligence in this class, regardless of position.
Pick 49: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Bergeron is an experienced tackle that has played on both sides of the line and has the versatility to kick inside to guard if need be.
I know this may be later than Steeler fans want when it comes to addressing the tackle position, but Bergeron is the last of the plug-and-play left tackles in my opinion, making him an obvious choice as a top-50 prospect.
Pick 80: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Perry is a very underrated receiver in my opinion. His skill set as a jumbo X is what teams covet when looking for a wide receiver number one,
Perry ran a 4.47 at over 6'3 and nearly 200 pounds at the NFL Combine.
His ability to win vertically is impressive, with route nuance being the only hole that coaches will need to address.
Pick 120: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Sewell isn't the hyper-athletic middle linebacker that earlier prospects in the draft are, but he possesses many of the traits that the Steelers covet from the position.
One of the smartest players in the draft, Sewell's football intelligence and instincts are innate qualities that are hard to find.
If he's still around this late, this pick is a no-brainer.
Pick 234: D.J Johnson, Edge, Oregon
D.J. Johnson is the type of late-round selection whose traits keep him on an NFL roster for years to come.
A heavy edge that fits the Steelers measurables for outside linebacker, the 6'4 260-pound pass rusher is more than just brawn, recording an impressive 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
That speed flashes on tape, making him worth a late-round flyer as a developmental player.
Pick 241: Jerrod Clark, IDL, Coastal Carolina
Clark is a pure nose tackle, one that can plug the holes and take on the double teams that all 3-4 defensive tackles are responsible for.
With some quickness to threaten pocket depth from the interior, there's no reason to think the Steelers wouldn't mind bringing in Clark, using a late-day three-pick to do so.
