The Pittsburgh Steelers and rest of the NFL are only a few weeks away from the 2023 NFL Draft. The seven-round event is what separates the good organizations from the great ones. Finding young and talented players who are able to contribute right away is critical for long-term success. Pittsburgh may have their hands tied if several of the guys they like are available at picks #17, #32 and #49. Let's compare two prospects at each spot and decide which one would be the best fit for the team heading into the summer and 2023 season.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin roams the field at then-Heinz Field prior to a 2021 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Round 1, Pick #17 - Deonte Banks Or Joey Porter Jr.
These two cornerbacks are likely to both go in the first round. Banks was originally projected as a second round player, but flew up draft boards after an impressive showing at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He showed freak athleticism and ran an impressive 4.35 40-yard dash. He's well-sized at 6'1" and 200 pounds with the ability to be physical with opposing receivers. He can be a lockdown corner in the NFL.
Porter Jr. has made sense for some time now, but not necessarily because of his skill or overall chances to be a lockdown defender in at the professional level. He is certainly a first round talent, but with the current draft class and how it is shaping up, would anyone be talking about him to Pittsburgh if his dad wasn't a Steelers legend?
It's apparent that the organization loves this kind of familiarity and connections, but if these two are both on the board and the team is going with one of them, it should be Banks. He has a stronger skill set, is more athletic and physical. He will need to cut down on the pass interference calls, but his potential is unlimited.
Maryland cornerback, Deonte Banks (#3) swats a pass from Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (#7) during the Terrapins, 43-30 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2022. | Photo Credit: Rohan Pandit / The Diamondback
2.) Round 2, Pick #32 - Dawand Jones Or Anton Harrison
Mock drafts have these two guys all over the place. Overall, though, the Steelers hypothetically get their corner in the first round and look to address the offensive line in the second. Jones has been consistency linked to Pittsburgh while both players, like the two corners above, have gotten together with or are planning to with Pittsburgh for pre-draft visits.
Jones projects as a left tackle in the NFL, but has no real experience. He played on the right side at Ohio State University and he may not be immediately successful after making the switch. If he adjusts quickly, however, he could end up being a staple on any offensive line for a long time.
Harrison is a true left tackle who has 32 games of experience in college protecting a right-handed quarterback's blindside. Kenny Pickett will need all the time he can get and a good place to finalize the retooling of the offensive line would be with the 6'5", 300-pound blocker. If one of these two are the plan at #32, it should be Harrison.
Oklahoma tackle, Anton Harrison takes the field with his teammates during the 2022 college football regular season. | Photo by Brian Bahr / Getty Images
Round 2, Pick #49 - Keeanu Benton Or John Michael Schmitz
Which side of the line to beef up with this one? Do the Steelers take the center of the future or bring some youth to an aging defensive front? Beginning with Benton, he had 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his final college season. He improved each year and if he would have been more successful earlier at the University of Wisconsin, we may be looking at him in the first round.
Schmitz wouldn't have to start right away with Mason Cole in the mix, but if Pittsburgh is looking for a center of the future to work with Pickett, Schmitz could be the guy. He is a little bit smaller, listed under 6'4", but is extremely strong and the capability to bigger defensive lineman in check.
Given the fact that Cole was consistent in 2022 and still has two years left on his contract, the center for the next decade can be found in 2024. Benton makes a lot of sense at #49 and brings in some young energy to a group that could use it.
Photo Credit: David Stluka/ Wisconsin Badgers
Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Options In The First Two Rounds
It would be shocking if at least one of, if not, more of these six ends up wearing the black and gold in 2023. The team has expressed interest in all of them and having three picks in the top 50 is going to allow the organization to have many options early in the draft. The three guys selected above would be a great haul for the first two rounds.
Would you make the same picks if you were the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
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