Way too early 2023 Steelers Mock Draft

[FordFairLane]

Round 1- Will Anderson Jr Edge Alabama
We likely have a top 5 pick and Anderson might be the best pass rusher to be drafted in 20 years. We all saw how our defense went down after TJ went down. I believe in the NFL you need three quality pass rushers and with Anderson we would have that. We would have TJ, Highsmith, and Anderson for 3 seasons. Could be the best trio the Steelers ever had.

Round 2- Broderick Jones OT Georgia
A little bit inexperienced but has a TON of upside. Has the size length and movement skills to be a book end LT for the next decade. I would like to move Moore to guard but I think he probably settles at swing tackle. Personally, I would love to see if Moore could play center or at least be a utility OL. He is playing much better at OT but far from a long term solution. I think LG would fit him best but Dotson is playing pretty decent there. Maybe a move to center to put the best 5 on the field.

Round 3- Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi St
Forbes plays bigger than he is. 5-11 179lbs but he is willing to stick his nose in the run game and is very aggressive going after the ball.

Round 4- Tuli Tuipulotu DL USC
I like Leal and Loudermilk but I feel we need to build in the trenches and Cam is still making a ton of tackles. Cam is locked up until 2025 but I am not sure he makes it for the end of the contract. Not a lot of guys can play until they are 35. But still, Tuli will immediately provide some depth and considering we only have Cam, Adams, Loudermilk and Leal signed for 2023 this is definitely a need.

Round 7- Sirvocea Dennis ILB Pitt
More of your classic run stuffer Dennis should cut out a niche in the defense on running downs. I feel we utilizing more sub packages would help assist in our run and passing defenses.

Round 7- Tory Taylor P Iowa
Harvin is just bad. I think Taylor easily takes the starting spot and is a long term solution. The 6-4 231lbs rugby player easily punts 50+ with 5+ seconds of hang time. He also can make some plays tackling returners as with his size and background isn't afraid of contact.

 

[suncitysteel]

I'd move ILB ahead of CB and DL in terms of immediate need.

Round 7- Tory Taylor P Iowa
Harvin is just bad. I think Taylor easily takes the starting spot and is a long term solution. The 6-4 231lbs rugby player easily punts 50+ with 5+ seconds of hang time. He also can make some plays tackling returners as with his size and background isn't afraid of contact.

The same things could've - or were - said about Harvin coming out of GA Tech. He even won the Ray Guy award as a senior for best punter in the country, for cryin' out loud. What the heck's happened to him?

Harvin and Sepulveda are examples of why not to use a draft pick on a punter, seventh round or not.

 

[FordFairLane]

I'd move ILB ahead of CB and DL in terms of immediate need.



The same things could've - or were - said about Harvin coming out of GA Tech. He even won the Ray Guy award as a senior for best punter in the country, for cryin' out loud. What the heck's happened to him?

Harvin and Sepulveda are examples of why not to use a draft pick on a punter, seventh round or not.

I don't like going earlier than 7th for kicker or punter. But this likely is one of the last 15 picks in the draft. I am ok with not having to hope you sign a good UDFA punter when you get the best one in the draft for sure. Also, Harvin wasn't the best punter by most draft experts in his class.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

So why did we

 

[Superman]

if you take Anderson, you let Bush walk and flip Highsmith to ILB. Then we have our four best LBs on the field at the same time. for ******* once.

 

[mightyguru]

I know it was only one game, but I didn't see Will Anderson at all v the Vols...and he was the only reason I watched the game.

 

[slashsteel]

Anderson will be gone before the Steelers pick. Not a realistic option. Anywho I am hoping for a DE or LT.

 

[FordFairLane]

If we pick 3 he’s likely there. Detroit and Houston likely go QB.

 

[FordFairLane]

if you take Anderson, you let Bush walk and flip Highsmith to ILB. Then we have our four best LBs on the field at the same time. for ******* once.

My prediction is we resign Terrell Edmunds (who is having a very underrated season) then sign his brother Tremaine to fix the ILB spot next to Jack.

 

[Litos]

Highsmith might not be an all pro but investing more in OLB with Watt under a huge contract when we are so thin at OL, CB, ILB, DL might not be the best allocation of draft capital. Unless we are trading Highsmith for a 2nd or something like that

 

[FordFairLane]

Highsmith might not be an all pro but investing more in OLB with Watt under a huge contract when we are so thin at OL, CB, ILB, DL might not be the best allocation of draft capital. Unless we are trading Highsmith for a 2nd or something like that

Watt is 28 and will be 29 next season. I don’t think he gets another contract with us. And a good pass rush makes your DB’s look a lot better. Could go Skoronski but if Anderson is there you run to the podium

 

[slashsteel]

If we pick 3 he’s likely there. Detroit and Houston likely go QB.

The Steelers wouldn't be picking three if the season ended today. They would be 7th. OLBer isn't even the teams greatest need. Besides Cam is old in the tooth and building that O shouldn't be ignored.

 

[slashsteel]

If I had my choice I would go with Murphy out of Clemson. Where talent meets need.

I know an unpopular choice might be Addison but him and Kenny have roots. I think a trade down, or winning streak of more games might need to happen before he would get the nod. But it wouldn't shock me if it came to pass.

 

[Litos]

Watt is 28 and will be 29 next season. I don’t think he gets another contract with us. And a good pass rush makes your DB’s look a lot better. Could go Skoronski but if Anderson is there you run to the podium

But do we play with 3 OLBs ? As I said, if we are trading Highsmith I get it. Watt at 29 will be in the top of his career and with 3 years left on his contract, so do we sit Highsmith for at least 2 years until 2024 when watts dead cap is manageable and you cut him or trade him?

Are we talking here about letting an mvp go or what?

 

[FordFairLane]

The Steelers wouldn't be picking three if the season ended today. They would be 7th. OLBer isn't even the teams greatest need. Besides Cam is old in the tooth and building that O shouldn't be ignored.

They are tied for 3rd and have the hardest remaining schedule.

 

[slashsteel]

They are tied for 3rd and have the hardest remaining schedule.

Think they could win 5 more games? They have the Saints division, Browns rematch, Colts...say the team is 6 or 7 wins on the season. I bet that takes them out of the top 5. Don't see this team being a top three especially getting Watt back soon.

 

[SteelerFan448]

The Steelers need to draft a premium position in the first round. They aren't going QB and if Pickett isn't the answer after his second year, they'll be in good position for a QB in what could be a solid 2024 draft.

Left Tackle
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern - He has room to add to his frame, but has a ton of experience, is dominant in pass protection and a very good run blocker. Exactly the type of player this team needs. He also comes from NFL bloodlines.

Paris Johnson, Ohio State - Switched to tackle from guard. Big at 6'6" and 311 lbs. I'll admit, sometimes players on dominant teams worry me a bit because it's easier to play with all that talent.

Wide Receiver
Quentin Johnston, TCU - By all accounts, he should blow up the combine with elite athletic traits, which is going to be very tempting. He doesn't have the numbers other guys have put up, so he'll have to prove he can get it done when getting 100+ targets a season. I'd have no problem bringing in another athletic freak opposite Pickens.

Jordan Addison, USC - He just finds ways to get open. I don't think he has elite traits in terms of size and speed, but he should run a good 40.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, OSU - Absolutely dominant last season. He's had injury issues this year and I'd like to see how he runs because if he doesn't have elite speed, it's too high to draft him.

EDGE
Will Anderson, Alabama - A top-3 player in the draft, you can never have enough good pass rushers, even with Watt and Highsmith under contract.

Myles Murphy, Clemson - If you want size at EDGE, Murphy is your guy. At this point, more stout against the run compared to getting to the QB.

Cornerback
Kelee Ringo, Georgia - Terrific size at 6'2", he'd be another big CB in the defensive backfield. Great speed as well.

IDL - I don't consider this a premier position, but a tier 2.
Jalen Carter, Georgia - Dominant player last season, he has an MCL injury that has limited him. Still will be a top pick.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Think they could win 5 more games? They have the Saints division, Browns rematch, Colts...say the team is 6 or 7 wins on the season. I bet that takes them out of the top 5. Don't see this team being a top three especially getting Watt back soon.

I'll be happy if they score 5 touchdowns in those games you mentioned.

 

[slashsteel]

I'll be happy if they score 5 touchdowns in those games you mentioned.

I was thinking the D with Watt giving more FG opportunities. But yeah some TDs would be nice too.

 

[steelhurt]

Before the season my prediction was 7-10 but have amended to 6-11.
I would venture to guess that gives us maybe between the 8th to 10’th pick.
I’m going OL with my first two picks.
LT and Center and then kick Dan Moore Jr inside to LG. I’m ok with Daniels and Chucks on the right side.
Depending on how Bushy finishes out the season if it’s on a solid note I may franchise him or I try as one person said, sign Tremaine Edmunds and resign his brother at safety.
Third and fourth round belong to my DL.
That’s my two cents!

 

[TDX27]

OL and DL still top two needs ahead of anything else. We've seen for multiple years that without the Big Uglies on both sides of the ball, nothing else matters or works. Our first 3 picks should be DL, OL, OL in no particular order. I don't think we have a 4th in this draft. This will give. us the biggest (literally) bang for our buck.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I'd move ILB ahead of CB and DL in terms of immediate need.



The same things could've - or were - said about Harvin coming out of GA Tech. He even won the Ray Guy award as a senior for best punter in the country, for cryin' out loud. What the heck's happened to him?

Harvin and Sepulveda are examples of why not to use a draft pick on a punter, seventh round or not.

Bubbles......m ore bubbles. Bubbles..;;;;;;;;;; bubbles;;;;;;;;;;; BuBBles::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: all around



Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

OL and DL still top two needs ahead of anything else. We've seen for multiple years that without the Big Uglies on both sides of the ball, nothing else matters or works. Our first 3 picks should be DL, OL, OL in no particular order. I don't think we have a 4th in this draft. This will give. us the biggest (literally) bang for our buck.

What I am seeing so far is strength at DL. I have some LT concerns so thinking value wise if the record was as it is today value there would be in round 2, ditto G. Now if the Steelers win somewhere around where I anticipate them drafting then LT is back in the fold. Just not sure the FO would agree. As they don't seem to be up for that. The Eagles assistant GM might disagree with my assessment as he likes drafting O-Linemen. Also CB might come over into play in addition to DE.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Anderson will be gone before the Steelers pick. Not a realistic option. Anywho I am hoping for a DE or LT.

I think we pick between 5 - 11, still gone? Just curious


Salute the naation

 

[slashsteel]

I think we pick between 5 - 11, still gone? Just curious


Salute the Nation

Yep guy is a top 3 talent. Only thing that drops him to 3 even is QB needy teams. I think 11 might be a realistic pick for the Steelers...