It seems very likely that the Pittsburgh Steelers will target a cornerback or an offensive/defensive lineman in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While these needs have been slightly addressed during free agency, there are still several holes and pick #17 may have to be one of those positions. The organization has surprised before, however. Another area that is extremely light right now in the secondary is at safety. Minkah Fitzpatrick will hold the fort down and Damontae Kazee is set to return after agreeing to a two-year deal, but there's not much else.
Steelers safety, Damontae Kazee gets ready for a 2022 regular season matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
So where will the rest of the depth come from? It could very well on hinge on a former first round pick, Terrell Edmunds. The safety has been in Pittsburgh since he was drafted in 2018 an has gotten better and more consistent each season. Another key part of his game is availability as he only missed three games in his five-year career.
Edmunds entered free agency with an open mind and was clear that he planned on taking his time in 2023. Back in 2022, he was quick to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, finding him right back on the market a year later. Reports surrounding him have been quiet, but signing him to a multi-year extension, like Kazee, seems to be out of the question. On Thursday morning Edmunds said his goodbyes to Pittsburgh on social media.
If he does in fact head elsewhere one's mind has to shift to former University of Alabama safety, Brian Branch. The ball hawk is consistently being projected to go in the middle of the first round, right where Pittsburgh is slated to pick. Branch was outspoken at the NFL's 2023 Scouting Combine about wanting to play alongside the former Crimson Tide player at the professional level.
Alabama's Brian Branch lines up as he creeps towards the line of scrimmage during a college football game for the University of Alabama. | Photo Credit: AP Photo / Vasha Hunt
Branch had three interceptions in his collegiate career, but was more impressive was his ability to make plays in the backfield during his senior year in 2022. He had 14 tackles for loss and might be the perfect guy to pair with Fitzpatrick and Kazee in a three-safety set that was used towards the end of the season in 2022 for the Steelers.
He also had seven passes defended and three sacks. He's the exact kind of player the franchise likes and his versatility may make him a top target in the first round. It's hard to imagine, however, that Edmunds is brought back and Branch gets selected in the first round. That's what it may come down to.
Most fans and analysts think the Steelers need to beef up the trenches while others believe a cornerback could be the answer at #17. At the end of the day, the pick may be directly related to the attempt to bring Edmunds back or let him move on to place for an organization elsewhere.
Steelers safety, Terrel Edmunds (#34) lurks in the secondary during a 2022 regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers May Love The Idea Of Branch In Round 1
It's quite possible that Pittsburgh is already set on Branch is he is available at #17. Edmunds has decided to take his time with a decision this time around, but the Steelers may not even have contacted him to discuss him coming back. That could be why Edmunds announced his goodbyes on Thursday. We could have a new favorite to be selected at #17 if Edmunds walks in free agency.
Do you think Pittsburgh will target Branch if Edmunds heads somewhere else? Let us know in the comments below!
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