The last time I wrote a college football draft prospects article for the Pittsburgh Steelers was November 12 (Week 10), in which the team was 2-6 coming off the bye and playing the New Orleans Saints. Fast forward to now, and the Steelers have fallen to 5-8 after a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at home.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 09: Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball while defended by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
But it is still fun to look into the future a little, no? With the college football regular season now coming to a close and bowl season quickly approaching, I thought it would be beneficial to SteelerNation to shine some light on three more prospects that could be donning the black and gold come next spring in the 2023 NFL Draft.
BUT FIRST! My weekly reminder:
Steelers Best Case Scenario: QB Needy Team Overpays for a Top 10 Selection
Everyone hears the calls for the Steelers to punt on rookie QB Kenny Pickett for a dynamic, higher-upside quarterback from this upcoming class. But let’s be real about this, the Steelers will not pick a QB with their first-round pick next year. It’s like beating a dead horse at this point, but it is just not the Steeler way. Dumping on a rookie QB after a subpar season surrounded by little talent is the last thing Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers brass will do, despite what Ryan Clark says.
Now let’s get into it.
Past Articles:
Potential Steelers Draft Picks in the 2023 NFL Draft
OT Broderick Jones, Sophomore, Georgia
Broderick Jones is one of the better tackle prospects in the entire draft, but draft websites are torn on where he lands in the grand scheme of the overall prospects. Some websites will have him as a borderline Top 10 draft pick whereas others will still have him available in the second round. Nonetheless, Jones has the tools and the potential to become a household name and a cornerstone of any NFL offensive line in the future. Jones's movement skills are good and provide hope for his development.
His sufficient lateral agility allows him to redirect and handle twists/stunts well without giving up much ground. Finally, in the National Championship game, he had impressive reps versus Will Anderson Jr. Jones shows a strong grip to latch his hands onto his opponent.
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 02: Georgia Bulldogs Offensive Linemen Broderick Jones (59) blocks Arkansas Razorbacks Defensive Linemen Zach Williams (59) during the college football game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 02, 2021, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LB Henry To'o To'o, Senior, Alabama
The Steelers could be looking to move on from former first-round pick, Devin Bush, and To'o To'o of the Crimson Tide could be the potential answer to a position that has lacked for the Steelers for years. To'o To'o is almost a Devin Bush clone, being an undersized middle linebacker that thrives on making plays in space (even though he is 3 full inches taller than Bush).
To'o To'o shows to be a high-IQ football player in the run game as well as in his pass coverage. He led Alabama in tackles this season and thrives off of his pure athleticism to get from sideline-to-sideline. He struggles against offenses with a heavy downfield run game, but that can be worked out in NFL development.
CB Kelee Ringo, Sophomore, Georgia
Continuing the trend of SEC players, Kelee Ringo is one of the more battle-tested corners in the SEC which can ultimately be his biggest plus in the eyes of NFL GM’s and scouting departments. Part of the 2022 All-SEC Second Team and the recipient of the game-clinching interception in the 2022 CFB National Championship Game, Ringo is at his best when he is patient out of the contact window and stays sticky when doing so. One drawback of his is when he is impatient off the snap, sometimes overstepping or shooting a punch too late that gets him in trouble.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: University of Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo #5 of the Bulldog football team returns a fourth-quarter interception 79 yards for a touchdown against the Crimson Tide from the University of Alabama during the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship game between University of Georgia and University of Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Would you be interested in seeing any of these players in the black and yellow? What position do you think the Steelers should focus on in the draft? What prospects do you want the Steelers to draft? Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
