Offensive tackle remains a primary need for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering the 2023 NFL Draft. The front office addressed several needs throughout the offseason, but intentionally left the need for an offensive tackle for the draft. It's a strong class for pass protectors, and the Steelers have three top-50 selections. To close out their allocated pre-draft visits on Tuesday, the Steelers met with Tennessee lineman Darnell Wright.
Gregory Payan / Associated Press
ESPN insider Louis Riddick interviewed for the Steelers' general manager opening in 2022, but the team ended up hiring Omar Khan instead.
Wright is considered one of the top offensive tackles in the upcoming draft, and he's a possibility for the black and gold with the 17th pick. ESPN draft expert Louis Riddick is quite high on Wright, who moved to right tackle for the 2022 season. In fact, he joined ESPN's Get Up on Tuesday and thinks Wright will be an elite-level player at the professional level.
"When I first saw him down at the Senior Bowl, I said ‘Who’s that mountain over there with jersey on and a helmet on?’ You watch him against Alabama down there in Knoxville, he absolutely just shuts down Will Anderson. He will be the best player to come out of this draft regardless of position. Mark my words, [Darnell Wright will be the] best player in this draft."
If the name sounds familiar, well, Riddick has been around for awhile. After going to college at the University of Pittsburgh, he played eight six seasons in the NFL. Then, he spent several time in scouting and player personnel roles with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. Riddick has now been an ESPN analyst for a few years and if you remember, he even interviewed for the Steelers' GM vacancy last offseason.
Michael Conroy / Associated Press
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
That job obviously ended up going to Omar Khan, who has done a tremendous job recouping the roster this offseason. You get the gist though, Riddick is a respected name around football. This seems to be a hot take though, as people around the league seem to be split on Wright. He figures to be a right tackle at the next level, which has been occupied by Chukwuma Okorafor for five years now.
Will Wright end up with the Steelers?
As Riddick mentioned, Wright dominated his individual matchup against Will Anderson earlier this season. Anderson, regarded as the best pass rusher in the upcoming draft class, is projected to go in the top-5. That specific game seemed to jolt Wright's status for the NFL, and he's now projected to go in the first round. If the Steelers don't trade up or take a corner at 17, the Tennessee lineman may very well be their guy.
What do you think of this take by Riddick? Do you want the Steelers to take Wright with the 17th overall pick? If so, do you think Okorafor would try moving to the left side to compete with Dan Moore Jr.? Share your thoughts in the comments below, yinz!
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