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2023 NFL Draft: Instant Analysis and Grades for Every Team’s Picks

By Sayre Bedinger

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Draft
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Broderick Jones of Georgia poses for a portrait during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • 14. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
  • 32. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  • 49. Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
  • 93. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
  • 132. Nick Herbig, LB, Wisconsin
  • 241. Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue
  • 251. Spencer Anderson, OL, Maryland

It’s hard to look around the league and find a more “complete” draft class than this one. The Pittsburgh Steelers worked the board methodically. They were aggressive in spots. They were patient. They took advantage of good value at every turn.

Starting, of course, with the selection of the road grader at left tackle, Broderick Jones. The Steelers traded up a couple of spots to make sure they landed Jones as tackles were flying off the board. This is a team that needed to solidify the LT spot and they did it with a very talented player.

Then you turn around in the second and get someone like Joey Porter Jr.? That is a player many — myself included — thought had a floor of 17 overall in this draft because of his connection to the Steelers. Pittsburgh needed outside corner help, and the 6-foot-2 Porter is going to play immediately along with a living legend in Patrick Peterson.

At every turn of this draft, I think the Steelers got second contract players. I don’t see any picks in this group that won’t work out at least in terms of depth.

Darnell Washington at pick 93 overall has to be one of the best overall values in the class. Washington was a personal favorite of mine coming into this draft but there might be concerns about a knee. We’ll see if that impacts him going forward but the Steelers have long been masters of finding skill position talent on Day 2 and they stole Georgia’s George Pickens last year coming off of an injury, too.

Nick Herbig at 132 overall was highway robbery. Getting him and his college teammate Keeanu Benton? Chef’s kiss.

Well done for the Steelers.

Grade: A

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