The Pittsburgh Steelers are widely looked at with two huge positional needs entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Those two positions are cornerback and offensive tackle. Every first-round prospect has been rumored to go to the Steelers, whether the organization trades up or trades down or a player is available at pick 17 for the Steelers to choose from. In his most recent chat with fans, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hints at who the Steelers are thinking of choosing with the 17th overall selection: University of Tennessee offensive tackle, Darnell Wright.
Brianna Paciorka / News Sentinel
Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during morning football practice on campus
In his published notes, Dulac had a guest ask the question:
"A lot of talk about taking an OT in the first round but do the Steelers historically value the position? In the 53 drafts since 1970 the Steelers have taken an OT just twice [in the first round] ~ Jim_Bow_Dean
Dulac went on to answer and was extremely confident regarding the question.
"Don't go to sleep on the possibility of an offensive tackle, especially Darnell Wright"
Dulac goes on later in the article to name Wright again as one of the Steelers' "usual suspects" when asked if the team has a favorite tackle they are targeting.
"Paris Johnson. Darnell Wright. Broderick Jones. The usual suspects"
TENNESSEE ATHLETICS
Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright could be the choice of the top tackles off the board.
Wright is a strong, experienced tackle at 6'5" and weighs in at 333 pounds. He was ranked as the second most athletic tackle in the class and has been raved about since he was a Top 10 overall recruit in 2019 from Huntington, West Virginia. Dulac naming Wright as a "usual suspect" for the Steelers should not come as a surprise.
A ton of buzz from national media has been that the organization will select Wright with their first-round selection if the team decides to not trade up. Wright played most snaps on the right side of the line at Tennesse, but it has been said he can move around on the line and even play in the interior if it was needed.
Andrew Ferguson / Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wight could be an option for the Steelers with the 17th overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
With more and more talk of Wright being selected by Pittsburgh growing each day, Dulac naming him as a player of interest is something for fans to look at before the upcoming draft. With two top positions of need for the team, offensive tackle is the position with fewer top players available to the team in the first round in 2023.
The belief is that Wright will be a great player who can't be missed in the upcoming draft. The Steelers will most likely have the chance to take him with the 17th overall selection.
What do you think the Steelers should do at offensive tackle? Do you think the Steelers should draft one in the first round? Or take a corner instead? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments below.
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