The Steelers were active at the trade deadline and have seemed to embrace the rebuild, and here is an updated mock draft for the team.
The Steelers have had a disappointing 2022 season, to say the least. Despite some hope that this team would come together and at least look competitive this year, it hasn’t been the case. The defense has been a wreck since T.J. Watt was lost. Somehow, the offense has been even worse, as they haven’t been able to consistently move the ball this season.
The trade deadline came and went, and the Steelers made a big move that pushes them toward a rebuild. Chase Claypool was shipped off to Chicago in exchange for a second-round pick. That is a huge deal considering just how many needs this team has. The fact that they got the Bears’ original pick as well is significant, as that means the Steelers could have three picks in the top 40 once the draft rolls around.
While there is still a lot of time for the needs of this team to change, I wanted to take a minute to put up a mock draft for this team given the new pick and the multitude of needs. To be clear, this mock draft doesn’t address every need (there aren’t enough picks to do that), but it is my best attempt at filling the important needs for the team as of now. With all of that said, here is an updated Steelers mock draft.
Steelers 2023 mock draft, Round 1: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Let me be clear upfront, while I’m not projecting trades in this mock draft, the Steelers should absolutely look to trade back from this pick. There are a lot of needs on this team right now, and some of their biggest needs don’t align with the strength of the top five players in the draft. There aren’t trades here though, so I went with the best player available.
Jalen Carter is widely seen as one of the top prospects in the draft class. He can play all over the defensive line and has a quick first step. With the star of the Steelers line near the end of his carrier and a lack of star power behind him, this team could use a dominant player. Carter fits that mold, as he can penetrate the backfield on run plays and get after the quarterback.
My biggest concern with him is his lack of sack production (despite great tape) and he lacks the typical size the team wants in an end. Personally, trading back would be the better play, but staying put, Carter makes the most sense. He could develop into a top-tier lineman down the road given his skill set. He would make sense assuming the team stays pat.
Steelers 2023 mock draft Round 2: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
My top priority in this upcoming draft class is finding a capable tackle for this team. Neither of the current starters are great and protecting Kenny Pickett will be a must. I was all for using a top-five pick to land a stud tackle. Unfortunately, while the 2023 draft class has a slew of top tackle prospects, it is lacking an elite one.
Matthew Bergeron is a name to keep an eye on. He has the prototypical size you want in a tackle, something that isn’t present with other top tackles, and he is a great athlete. He can move well in space and has proven to be a dominant pass-and-run blocker. Add in his ability to play on either side of the line and he would be an instant upgrade for this team.
My only concern with Bergeron is his length. While nothing is official yet, his arms don’t look as long as you would want for a tackle. That could be an issue long-term, but he has the size to kick inside if that really became an issue. He is oozing with talent, and the Steelers would be wise to target him early in the second round of the draft.
Steelers 2023 mock draft Round 2: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Bears’ pick gives the Steelers a lot of options in the second round. After addressing both sides of their lines, the team can address a wide variety of positions afterward. Personally, I see landing a cornerback as the next biggest need. Even if veteran William Jackson returns to form, the team needs a young and talented outside cornerback to take over a starting role.
There were a few names that made sense at this juncture, but I opted to grab Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes. The junior has the size to play along the outside and is a physical force. He reminds me of the cornerback version of George Pickens: he is long-limbed, plays hard, and has a confidence about him when on the field.
He is battle-tested coming out of the SEC, and while he may need a season to get comfortable, he could be a viable starter long-term. His frame is small, which has caused issues with matching up against big receivers but adding some weight to him isn’t out of the question. The cornerback room is bare, and Forbes would be a huge help.
Steelers 2023 mock draft Round 3: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Claypool was working out of the slot for the team, and his departure leaves a hole there. Pickens is developing into the guy for this offense while Diontae Johnson will serve as his running mate. The team will need to find a capable slot receiver that can be dependable and make some plays after the catch to fill in for Claypool.
Zay Flowers has been a dynamic receiver out of Boston College that will do just that. While a smaller frame, he is a twitchy athlete that can play a variety of roles for an offense. While he has worked outside during his college days, his size will likely limit him to the slot once he becomes a pro.
He has gadget appeal as a runner inside a receive that can win from sharp routes over the middle. He would be a yard after the catch threat, something this offense is sorely lacking, and allow for some potential rushing opportunities given how he has been used in college. He would be a fun addition and fill the need this team will have in the slot.
Steelers 2023 mock draft Day Three Picks
The Steelers round out their draft with three depth defenders. Habakkuk Baldonado hails from Pitt and has the size and tools to become a good pass rusher in the NFL. That said, he is still a work in progress and will need some time before being counted on as a significant contributor. That said, he should be a special teams player early while he works on his defensive skills.
The Steelers are lacking a throwback style of linebacker on this defense, and Cam Jones could fill that mold. He is a liability in coverage, but he is aggressive with his run fills despite not being the biggest guy on the field. More than likely, he is a special teams piece more than a defender, but he has some positive run traits that could make him a capable backup.
Rounding out the draft is some safety depth in Cam’Ron Kelly out of North Carolina. Terrell Edmunds is likely to sign elsewhere in the offseason and while Kelly won’t be anywhere close to a starter as a rookie, he has the size to play in the box. Like the other names here, he should be a capable special teams player at worse.
The Steelers took one step closer to rebuilding by trading Claypool away at the deadline. While this mock addresses a lot of their needs, the team still has a lot of work to get done before they are back to being competitive. That said, some major needs were filled through this rebuilding mock draft.