The 2023 NFL Draft is now complete and the Pittsburgh Steelers according to experts had one of the best drafts of any team in the entire NFL. General Manager Omar Khan, along with the rest of the front office and coaching staff, did a fantastic job at finding top-tier talent in nearly every round of the draft. Some people will even go as far as saying this was the most complete draft for the Steelers in the last decade. They keyed in on some of the areas that the roster lacked in 2022 and are poised to make significant strides heading into next season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 first-round draft pick Broderick Jones meets with the press for the first time.
It was clear that the Steelers wanted to get back to their traditional style of football similar to the way they used to play in the '70's and early years with Ben Roethlisberger. The smash-mouth, ground-and-pound football is the style they are looking to play according to the types of players that they selected in this year's draft. Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl was a part of a staff who drafted in a similar way when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles and that has helped lead them to two Super Bowl appearances in the last five years. The focus on winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball is going to pay extreme dividends in the near future.
University of Georgia tight end, Darnell Washington (#0) catches a touchdown over a University of Alabama defender. | Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
The two selections that can benefit this team the most were the picks that both came from the University of Georgia. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones and tight end Darnell Washington both have more than just playing for the Bulldogs in common, they both are bullies on the football field. Jones, was one of the highest-rated tackles in the draft and also has been said to be the most athletic. Washington went viral during the NFL Draft Combine during the sled drills where he seemingly pushed the sled with ease. It is certain that both Jones and Washington are going to help give protection to second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett but there is yet another aspect to the Steelers offense that will likely propel in 2023 thanks to the newly revamped offensive line.
The Steelers' running game struggled mightily in the first half of the season in 2022. The offensive line looked completely different than it had in the years prior. Running back Najee Harris was struggling to find any sort of momentum in the run game prior to the bye week, but seemingly turned his entire season around post-bye week and looked as good as he ever has. Now with the multiple upgrades to the offensive line via free agency and the draft, Harris is poised to have a tremendous season in 2023.
Is There More Pressure On Steelers' Kenny Pickett or Najee Harris in 2023?
It's fair to say that both Pickett and Harris are facing significant expectations heading into the 2023 season. The revamped offensive line is going to help both of them reach that next tier and will provide both ample opportunities to have a masterful season. But which is under more pressure to perform at a high level in 2023?
CREDIT | GETTY IMAGES Joe Sargent
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris carries the football.
I believe Harris will be the one that will be under the microscope to start the 2023 season. Although his first two seasons in the NFL have seemed quite underwhelming, he has still rushed for over 1,000 yards in both 2021 and 2022. This will be a big year for Harris and will likely determine what the Steelers' front office will do with him long-term when it comes to contract extensions. In the past, Harris could hide behind the fact that he was rushing behind a lackluster offensive line which was one of the weaker points on the entire Steelers team in each of his first two seasons.
The Steelers on paper, will have one of the stronger offensive lines in the AFC North and this is going to be a pivotal time for the overall success of their offense. The front office has spent a lot of time and money to get this offense out of the basement in terms of production when compared to other teams around the league. They have the right playmakers in place heading into 2023 and I expect this offense to be one of the surprises around the NFL next season.
What do you think? Does Najee Harris deserve higher expectations heading into the 2023 season? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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