The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten plenty of praise for their efforts at the 2023 NFL Draft. Several sites and top draft experts have given them high grades as one of the best draft classes in the NFL. General Manager Omar Khan was able to fill some of the team's top remaining needs, while also selecting a few of the best players that were available. With OTA's just a few weeks away, who was impacted most by the draft?
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Steelers TE Zach Gentry may have a hard time getting much playing time with the draft selection of Darnell Washington.
Steelers TE Zach Gentry
The team brought back Gentry late in the free agency process, which was seen as a good move at the time. While tight end wasn't necessarily a need in the draft, Darnell Washington was too good to pass up with the 93rd overall pick. Washington not only has elite athleticism, but his blocking separates him from other tight ends. That combination will surely put him ahead of Gentry on the depth chart at some point, possibly even right away.
While the team admitted that Connor Heyward will be used as more of a chess piece in 2023, he will likely still get some time at tight end. That doesn't bode well for a guy like Gentry, who could be argued as the fourth TE right now. If the team opts to keep a fullback on the 53-man roster, whether it be undrafted free agent Monte Pottebaum or bringing back Derek Watt, that would likely spell the end for Gentry's tenure in Pittsburgh.
Steelers CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Heading into the draft, cornerback was known to be a pressing need. When the team didn't draft one with their first pick, that spelled good news for a guy like Witherspoon. Not only did they proceed to draft Joey Porter Jr., but they also got a steal in Cory Trice Jr. in the seventh round. Now, Witherspoon's roster spot seems very much in jeopardy. Injuries set him back in 2022 and if Trice proves to be a steal in training camp, Witherspoon may be on his way out of town.
Steelers RB Najee Harris
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Steelers RB Najee Harris should have a huge season in 2023 with the reinforcements up front.
The phenomenal offseason continues for Steelers running back Najee Harris. No, he hasn't won any awards or had any significant news. Instead, Pittsburgh continues to shore up the team's blocking in the trenches, working to get back to their old-school identity. Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig were already seen as huge acquisitions in free agency, but Khan didn't stop there at the 2023 NFL Draft.
Broderick Jones figures to be the team's long-term answer at left tackle and will push Dan Moore Jr. for the starting job immediately. Jones brings a toughness to his game that fans will love. Then, the team was able to get Washington at the end of Day 2. It looks like the team will be doing plenty of heavy personnel, which should open up those holes for Harris. He should be able to eclipse a career-high in rushing yards in 2023, given that he stays healthy.
Steelers S/LB Keanu Neal
Safety and linebacker were seen as two positions that the team could go after in the draft, especially if one of the best players available fell to them. The front office could have opted for Alabama safety Brian Branch to begin the second round, but went with Porter instead. Despite the loss of Terrell Edmunds in free agency, Pittsburgh didn't take a single safety in the draft. Furthermore, they didn't select an off-ball linebacker, either.
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Between Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal, the Steelers' new safeties should be able to replace Terrell Edmunds.
Fourth-rounder Nick Herbig figures to play on the edge, not in the middle. That all bodes well for Keanu Neal, who was a late pickup in free agency. While he may not necessarily start with Damontae Kazee as the likely guy there, Neal should have an opportunity for plenty of playing time. His physicality can help in the box as well, where he can play as a hybrid linebacker at times.
