The NFL mock draft frenzy is approaching at full speed, and today, we’re seeing what the Pittsburgh Steelers might do in the 2023 NFL Draft. Seeking to regain their footing in 2023, how can the Steelers ensure they win in April? In these scenarios, trades were active among others via the Mock Draft Simulator, but the Steelers held steady and did not make any moves.
Latest Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Mock Draft
Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor | Round 1, Pick 17
You don’t often see nose tackles go in Round 1. But when they’re worth that pick, that’s where they go. We saw it with Jordan Davis in the 2022 NFL Draft cycle. And one could argue that Baylor’s Siaki Ika is deserving of the same consideration in 2023.
Ika is a mountain at 6’4″, 358 pounds, with outrageous play strength and power in the trenches. For his size, he’s also absurdly athletic, with surprising explosiveness heading into contact. He can devour space and quarterbacks, and be a transformative force for Pittsburgh’s defense.
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee | Round 2, Pick 32
If the goal is to add size and power in the trenches, then the Steelers have passed with flying colors through the first two picks in this NFL Mock Draft. After adding Ika in Round 1, Pittsburgh takes offensive tackle Darnell Wright with their second pick.
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Wright can play left and right tackle, but the right side is likely where he’ll go for Pittsburgh. At 6’6″, 335 pounds, he’s a massive blocker with suffocating power and hand strength. But he’s also surprisingly controlled and refined with his movement and can match rushers with his short-area athleticism.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College | Round 2, Pick 49
The Steelers have Diontae Johnson locked down until 2025, and George Pickens is emerging as a star in Pittsburgh’s offense. That said, the receiving corps isn’t quite complete and could use another steady, multiphase threat from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Midway through Round 2 in this Steelers NFL Mock Draft, Zay Flowers is a great value get. He doesn’t add size to Pittsburgh’s group, but he adds just about everything else. Explosiveness, separation ability, elite body control, RAC value — Flowers is a true catalyst for Kenny Pickett.
Myles Brooks, CB, Louisiana Tech | Round 3, Pick 80
It’s hard to know what the solution is for the Steelers at cornerback. But one thing is certain: They need to invest in new talent this offseason. There’s a lot of talent and length in the 2023 NFL Draft class, and Myles Brooks could go on to be a great fit for them.
Pittsburgh likes length on the boundary, and that’s something Brooks has a lot of at 6’2″, 198 pounds. Beyond that, he’s an explosive athlete with disciplined technique and impressive fluidity, with excellent ball skills when opportunities come his way.
Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane | Round 4, Pick 117
Linebacker is quietly a pressing need for the Steelers entering the 2023 offseason. It’s unclear if Myles Jack will return, and Devin Bush has worn out his welcome. The 2023 NFL Draft linebacker group is unsettled, but Dorian Williams is one name to watch in the middle rounds.
Williams doesn’t get the name recognition of Power Five players, but his résumé is arguably just as strong. Physically, he’s an explosive athlete at 6’1″, 230 pounds, with arms nearly 33″ long. He was an elite producer in 2022, with 132 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two picks, two forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections.
Nic Jones, CB, Ball State | Round 7, Pick 212
The Steelers get two of my favorite sleepers at cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft in this mock. Brooks is a high-upside addition in Round 3, but in Round 7, Ball State’s Nic Jones could truly be a steal.
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Like Brooks, Jones brings the length that the Steelers covet at cornerback, with arms nearly 33″ long, despite listing at 6’0″, 186 pounds. Jones is chippy and physical, but his high-level agility and twitch in tight areas are what makes him so exciting in this range.
Yasir Abdullah, EDGE, Louisville | Round 7, Pick 223
Regardless of whether or not Alex Highsmith receives a contract extension from the Steelers, Pittsburgh has room to improve their pass-rushing depth on the edge. In particular, a pass-rushing specialist in the mold of Josh Uche or James Houston could be a quality add.
Late in Round 7, Yasir Abdullah is one prospect who fits this mold. Abdullah is very undersized from a mass perspective, but with his proportional length and explosiveness, he’s able to generate much more power than expected, and he comes in red hot around the edge.