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#14- Broderick Jones OT Georgia - A-
My highest rated offensive lineman in the draft. Broderick Jones has a rare combination of athleticism, size, and mean streak you look for in your blindside protector. Dan Moore has been serviceable at LT and to all accounts out performed as a former 4th round pick but it is time to have him perhaps move to the right side and compete with Chuks. Where if you remember correctly he beat out as a rookie for the starting LT position when Moore was slated to be the RT. This pick could very well solidify both sides of the line giving us two true bookends for the first time since the Steelers had Max Stark and Marcus Gilbert keeping Ben upright. And to be honest the athleticism and upside to Jones and Moore is by far superior than Starks and Gilbert. The only negative about this pick is it did cost us #17 & #120. Now in the scheme of things the Steelers got a steal as Khan used the Patriots desire for the Jets to not get Broderick Jones to leverage a great value. #14 = 1100 and #17 = 950 + 120 = 54. So the Steelers were roughly the 101st(96) pick ahead on value to the Pats.
#32- Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State - A
Maybe the best story in this draft class is JP2 coming home to Pittsburgh to dawn the black and gold like his father once did. Joey Porter Jr. is a long, tall, and physical cornerback who really improved his jam and misdirection at the line of scrimmage in 2022. Porter dominated early in the season and having 6 passes broken up in the season opener on 14 targets. Teams must have taken note not to throw his way because the rest of the 2022 season JP2 only saw 16 more targets which in those he had 5 more passes broken up making his season total 11. And in his 30 targets he only allowed 15 receptions for 143 yards. Porters size and speed had to be a consideration for a team who has to defend the likes of JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins twice a season. As a Penn State fan I am trying to be objective and in doing so the one negative I can think of for Porter is his hands. In that Purdue game Porter jumped a route and got his hands on an O'Connell pass with nothing but grass between him and the end zone just to watch the ball hit the turf. In his career at Penn State he only has one interceptions on 116 targets.
#49 Keeanu Benton DL Wisconsin - B+
Benton has one of the higher ceilings in this draft class as his physical ability with long powerful arms and thick tree trunk like legs is a sight to be seen. When he uses his heavy hands and keeps his pads low he flashes the ability to be a dominant defender. But those reps are a little too spaced out for my liking. Nevertheless when Keeanu Benton was at the Senior Bowl he put on quite the show for the coaches and drove his draft stock up to a solid second round pick. I see the theme with Khan and he wanted to get more physical and this pick definitely has the makings of a physical front man who wreaks havoc in both the run and passing game. I believe he will project as a run stuffer NT early in his career and if he can add some pass rush moves I feel he will gain more playing time as the season moves forward.
#93 Darnell Washington TE Georgia - B
Khan goes back to the National Champion drinking well taking another Dawg from Georgia. Washington checks all the boxes physically standing at 6-6 5/8 at 264lbs with massive 11" hands. But at that size he showed his athleticism at the combine running a 4.64 forty, leaping a 122" broad jump, and showing flexible hips running a 4.08 second 20-yard shuttle which is 97th percentile. Washington took a big step forward tripling his 2021 production with 454 yards on 28 receptions. While those are impressive numbers that isn't what Washington is known for. His ability to be an extra blocker is unmatched in this draft. Washington regularly pushes defensive linemen back into the secondary clearing huge holes for his running backs. At the combine he made little effort pushing the blocking sled while the rest of the TE class could barely move it. The pick must have been a value pick as the Steelers did re-sign backup Zach Gentry and obviously already have a young entrenched starter in Freiermuth. Furthermore, the Steelers traded down from #80 (190) to #93 (128) as 62 point difference while only picking up #132 (40) in value making it a 28 point net loss in trade value. Considering Carolina had #113 (66) Khan might have pushed a little harder to get the better pick or even a 2024 5th round pick which would have held a 23 point value. And by trading down the Steelers missed out on bigger need positions like ILB and Trenton Simpson, DeMarvion Overshown, and Dorian Williams. And safety with Ji'Ayir Brown.
#132 Nick Herbig OLB Wisconsin - B+
Khan yet again gets good value for the pick. Herbig was regularly regarded as a solid 2nd or 3rd round pick. Nate's little brother made a name for himself as an edge rusher for the badgers routinely chasing down the opposing QB. With 30 TFL and 20 sacks over the last two season the edge defender showed he can get the job done in college. But the vastly undersized edge rusher will have to prove himself all over in the NFL. There's an outside chance the Steelers look to have him play some ILB as Nick Herbig frequently stunted in his collegiate career. The worry there is his limited experience in coverage. I feel this pick and the addition of Quincy Roche puts the Steelers depth at edge rusher far ahead of what they had when they started the 2022 season.
#241 Cory Trice DB Purdue - B
Trice is another long press corner who has played both safety and corner in his collegiate career. Cory Trice is physically intimidating at 6-3 206lbs and moves well for his size running a sub 4.5 at the combine. He is an aggressive and willing tackler and more than willing to stick his nose into run defense. He really seems to play best when up at the LOS. He is a very effective Blitzer using his near linebacker size and speed when coming off the edge to get past would be blockers. And when he plays press on the receiver he reminds me a little of Mel Blount stuffing his receiver and pushing him off his route. In 2022 Trice only allowed 1 reception on 88 press snaps. Like Herbig I could definitely see a position change but if the Steelers keep him and Porter outside I can see a lot of frustrated receivers in the AFC North.
#251 Spencer Anderson OL Maryland - C
Well, what would a draft be without a Terrapin going to Pittsburgh? This pick has Tomlin written all over it. So I had to do a little research because Anderson was not a prospect I scouted pre-draft. Position flexible lineman. He has experience at RT, RG, OC and LG. He has quick feet and really shows up in the run game blasting off the line into his man and blowing him off the LOS. Good technique in the passing game, natural knee bender, stays low, and doesn't lunge or drop his head. Don't see the length needed to play outside in the NFL and will be regulated as an interior lineman. Probably nothing more than a utility backup in the NFL. I hated the pick initially but I think this is a guy they try to stash on the PS and maybe gets an opportunity in 2024
Overall the Steelers filled most of their holes while usually taking the best player on the board. For the most part Khan let the draft come to him only moving up to get a guy like Jones who they obviously valued more than throwing in an extra 4th round it took to ensure getting him. Khan had a vision of what he wants to see on this team and I believe the offseason and draft his an emphatic stamp on what he wants to build. He wants big, strong, and physical football. This draft reminds me of what Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks built in the early 2010's with the likes of Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Russell Okung and Bobby Wagner. All big powerful players at their position and imposed their will. Considering some of the later lack of draft capital I am really impressed with what Khan was able to put together. I feel this is the first step of building something really great and think things will only get better.
Overall Grade: B+
My highest rated offensive lineman in the draft. Broderick Jones has a rare combination of athleticism, size, and mean streak you look for in your blindside protector. Dan Moore has been serviceable at LT and to all accounts out performed as a former 4th round pick but it is time to have him perhaps move to the right side and compete with Chuks. Where if you remember correctly he beat out as a rookie for the starting LT position when Moore was slated to be the RT. This pick could very well solidify both sides of the line giving us two true bookends for the first time since the Steelers had Max Stark and Marcus Gilbert keeping Ben upright. And to be honest the athleticism and upside to Jones and Moore is by far superior than Starks and Gilbert. The only negative about this pick is it did cost us #17 & #120. Now in the scheme of things the Steelers got a steal as Khan used the Patriots desire for the Jets to not get Broderick Jones to leverage a great value. #14 = 1100 and #17 = 950 + 120 = 54. So the Steelers were roughly the 101st(96) pick ahead on value to the Pats.
#32- Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State - A
Maybe the best story in this draft class is JP2 coming home to Pittsburgh to dawn the black and gold like his father once did. Joey Porter Jr. is a long, tall, and physical cornerback who really improved his jam and misdirection at the line of scrimmage in 2022. Porter dominated early in the season and having 6 passes broken up in the season opener on 14 targets. Teams must have taken note not to throw his way because the rest of the 2022 season JP2 only saw 16 more targets which in those he had 5 more passes broken up making his season total 11. And in his 30 targets he only allowed 15 receptions for 143 yards. Porters size and speed had to be a consideration for a team who has to defend the likes of JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins twice a season. As a Penn State fan I am trying to be objective and in doing so the one negative I can think of for Porter is his hands. In that Purdue game Porter jumped a route and got his hands on an O'Connell pass with nothing but grass between him and the end zone just to watch the ball hit the turf. In his career at Penn State he only has one interceptions on 116 targets.
#49 Keeanu Benton DL Wisconsin - B+
Benton has one of the higher ceilings in this draft class as his physical ability with long powerful arms and thick tree trunk like legs is a sight to be seen. When he uses his heavy hands and keeps his pads low he flashes the ability to be a dominant defender. But those reps are a little too spaced out for my liking. Nevertheless when Keeanu Benton was at the Senior Bowl he put on quite the show for the coaches and drove his draft stock up to a solid second round pick. I see the theme with Khan and he wanted to get more physical and this pick definitely has the makings of a physical front man who wreaks havoc in both the run and passing game. I believe he will project as a run stuffer NT early in his career and if he can add some pass rush moves I feel he will gain more playing time as the season moves forward.
#93 Darnell Washington TE Georgia - B
Khan goes back to the National Champion drinking well taking another Dawg from Georgia. Washington checks all the boxes physically standing at 6-6 5/8 at 264lbs with massive 11" hands. But at that size he showed his athleticism at the combine running a 4.64 forty, leaping a 122" broad jump, and showing flexible hips running a 4.08 second 20-yard shuttle which is 97th percentile. Washington took a big step forward tripling his 2021 production with 454 yards on 28 receptions. While those are impressive numbers that isn't what Washington is known for. His ability to be an extra blocker is unmatched in this draft. Washington regularly pushes defensive linemen back into the secondary clearing huge holes for his running backs. At the combine he made little effort pushing the blocking sled while the rest of the TE class could barely move it. The pick must have been a value pick as the Steelers did re-sign backup Zach Gentry and obviously already have a young entrenched starter in Freiermuth. Furthermore, the Steelers traded down from #80 (190) to #93 (128) as 62 point difference while only picking up #132 (40) in value making it a 28 point net loss in trade value. Considering Carolina had #113 (66) Khan might have pushed a little harder to get the better pick or even a 2024 5th round pick which would have held a 23 point value. And by trading down the Steelers missed out on bigger need positions like ILB and Trenton Simpson, DeMarvion Overshown, and Dorian Williams. And safety with Ji'Ayir Brown.
#132 Nick Herbig OLB Wisconsin - B+
Khan yet again gets good value for the pick. Herbig was regularly regarded as a solid 2nd or 3rd round pick. Nate's little brother made a name for himself as an edge rusher for the badgers routinely chasing down the opposing QB. With 30 TFL and 20 sacks over the last two season the edge defender showed he can get the job done in college. But the vastly undersized edge rusher will have to prove himself all over in the NFL. There's an outside chance the Steelers look to have him play some ILB as Nick Herbig frequently stunted in his collegiate career. The worry there is his limited experience in coverage. I feel this pick and the addition of Quincy Roche puts the Steelers depth at edge rusher far ahead of what they had when they started the 2022 season.
#241 Cory Trice DB Purdue - B
Trice is another long press corner who has played both safety and corner in his collegiate career. Cory Trice is physically intimidating at 6-3 206lbs and moves well for his size running a sub 4.5 at the combine. He is an aggressive and willing tackler and more than willing to stick his nose into run defense. He really seems to play best when up at the LOS. He is a very effective Blitzer using his near linebacker size and speed when coming off the edge to get past would be blockers. And when he plays press on the receiver he reminds me a little of Mel Blount stuffing his receiver and pushing him off his route. In 2022 Trice only allowed 1 reception on 88 press snaps. Like Herbig I could definitely see a position change but if the Steelers keep him and Porter outside I can see a lot of frustrated receivers in the AFC North.
#251 Spencer Anderson OL Maryland - C
Well, what would a draft be without a Terrapin going to Pittsburgh? This pick has Tomlin written all over it. So I had to do a little research because Anderson was not a prospect I scouted pre-draft. Position flexible lineman. He has experience at RT, RG, OC and LG. He has quick feet and really shows up in the run game blasting off the line into his man and blowing him off the LOS. Good technique in the passing game, natural knee bender, stays low, and doesn't lunge or drop his head. Don't see the length needed to play outside in the NFL and will be regulated as an interior lineman. Probably nothing more than a utility backup in the NFL. I hated the pick initially but I think this is a guy they try to stash on the PS and maybe gets an opportunity in 2024
Overall the Steelers filled most of their holes while usually taking the best player on the board. For the most part Khan let the draft come to him only moving up to get a guy like Jones who they obviously valued more than throwing in an extra 4th round it took to ensure getting him. Khan had a vision of what he wants to see on this team and I believe the offseason and draft his an emphatic stamp on what he wants to build. He wants big, strong, and physical football. This draft reminds me of what Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks built in the early 2010's with the likes of Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Russell Okung and Bobby Wagner. All big powerful players at their position and imposed their will. Considering some of the later lack of draft capital I am really impressed with what Khan was able to put together. I feel this is the first step of building something really great and think things will only get better.
Overall Grade: B+
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