The Pittsburgh Steelers currently sit at 3-7, and with the hopes for this season all but gone, Steelers fans and media members alike have started to dip into the 2023 NFL Draft to really see who could make this team better for the long term.
Over the last few weeks, I have been identifying and looking at potential prospects the Steelers could target in next year's draft. In the last article, the first player that I listed that the Steelers could target is Alabama junior and the top overall prospect in college for the last season and a half, Will Anderson Jr.
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks Chandler Rogers #6 of the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Steelers May Pass on Will Anderson If Opportunity Arises
Everyone has heard the hype surrounding star Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. The undisputed top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft Class (who arguably would have gone first overall if available to be drafted last year), Anderson is the best player in college football and is flat-out unblockable because of his pure strength and elusiveness.
Drafting an edge may not be the Steelers' most pressing need with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith anchoring the OLB positions (with the latter having a career year even with Watt’s absence), but passing on a player of Anderson’s caliber is something the Steelers cannot do.
That last sentence is pretty damning to what I am writing now, as this is just a little over two weeks later. The Steelers currently sit with the ninth overall pick in next year's draft and actually have three picks within the top 40 after trading Chase Claypool to the Bears for their second-round pick that currently sits at 34th overall.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) / Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
But at this point and with how Alex Highsmith has played this season and developed into a very solid second edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt, it is really hard to envision Pittsburgh giving up on Highsmith after they drafted him out of Charlotte just three seasons ago despite the potential of Will Anderson. Highsmith has reached his career-high in sacks with nine already and currently sits fifth in the league overall.
On the season, Highsmith has 38 tackles and 8.5 sacks to lead the team. He also has eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 10 quarterback hits.
I charted/graded 460 sacks by 93 DL through 11 games this season to help bring clarity on which pass-rushers are getting home showing the highest degree of skill and efficiency against the most difficult circumstances.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 23, 2022
Current top 28 overall 👇https://t.co/MTVQFRSCIw pic.twitter.com/aXr8RWrBsY
Furthermore, not only do the Steelers have plenty of other positions they should address in the draft, it is not likely that the team will be able to lose enough to be in range to select Anderson, as he is surely a top-five pick.
While Highsmith still has some work to do to fully round out his game and potentially become that next elite Steelers pass-rusher, the team will have to make a decision this offseason on whether to extend him or let him walk after 2023. Unlike Bud Dupree, who had injury concerns and only showed flashes compared to Highsmith's prolonged success and on-field availability, it is fair to expect Pittsburgh to want to keep him around. Not to mention the team is in the top half of the league in cap space.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 20: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sack Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Do you think the Steelers should give up on Alex Highsmith for a player with the potential that Will Anderson has? Do you think the team should focus on other positions in the draft? Should the Steelers extend Highsmith this offseason after the success and potential he has been showing this season?
Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
#SteelerNation
