The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few key needs heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Both sides of the ball could use some help on the line while the cornerback position is pretty light. It would be pretty surprising if the organization doesn't end up targeting one of the positions in the first round with the 17th overall pick. The top two cornerback prospects in Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez were originally not expected to fall down to the middle of the first round, but news that broke on Friday could end up affecting where they end up going.
University of Illinois defensive back, Devon Witherspoon (#31) on the field during the second half of the game against MSU on Nov. 5. | Sydney Laput / The Daily Illini
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Detroit Lions have four players that are suspended for violating the NFL's gambling policy including wide receivers, Jameson Williams and Quintez Cephus.
Sources: NFL suspended 5 players, including #Lions WR Jameson Williams, for violations of NFL gambling policy. #Lions’ CJ Moore & Quintez Cephus, plus #Commanders' Shaka Toney, are suspended indefinitely (at least 1 year). Williams & DET’s Stanley Berryhill are suspended 6 games. pic.twitter.com/Jnmzn8iKzj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2023
Williams, who was selected 12th overall during the 2022 NFL Draft, only played in six games during his rookie season and managed to haul in one reception. While he will only allegedly miss six games, the Lions don't fully know what they have in him yet. Cephus was released by the franchise immediately after the news broke.
It will be interesting to see how Detroit decides to handle the wide receivers' room after this. They certainly need to address it in some way. Could their draft approach change because of this news? It might be a reach to address this position so early in the draft, but after not being a part of the offense in 2022 and now the suspension, it's possible they are unsure of being able to count on Williams long-term.
Detroit Lions wide receiver, Jameson Williams during warmups prior to a 2022 regular season game. | Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel / USA Today Sports
With one wide receiver gone and another who has yet to prove himself now hit with a six-game suspension, could the Lions shift expectations that many have for them during the first round of the draft? The Lions' receiving core now looks extremely light and the organization will have their choice of top pass catchers with the sixth overall selection.
It can't be understated how huge this would be for the Steelers. The Lions have consistently taken a cornerback in almost all of the mock drafts out there. Witherspoon and Gonzalez are likely to be there at #6, but it might not be a bad idea now to target Jaxon Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State University.
The Lions potentially passing on a defender in the secondary could lead to one or both of the top guys falling to #17, right in the lap of Pittsburgh. Even if the Atlanta Falcons pass on a quarterback and take a corner, the Steelers would have the option to jump over the Washington Commanders (who also are likely to look at the secondary) to take either Witherspoon or Gonzalez.
University of Oregon cornerback, Christian Gonzalez could be targeted by the Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft. | Photo Credit: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images
The Steelers Would Benefit Strongly From The Lions Reaching For A Wide Receiver
The Lions did meet with another top receiving prospect in Quentin Johnston. If the front office decides to shift gears, the Steelers would be in a great position to land one of this year's top cornerbacks. Pittsburgh can't afford to miss after two decades of botching this position in the draft and Detroit going after a pass catcher early could change the entire dynamic of the draft.
Do you think the Lions could switch up draft plans because of the gambling suspensions? Let us know in the comments below!
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