CBS Sports Projects Steelers And AFC North's Most Outstanding 2023 Rookies

The AFC North has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years, the Pittsburgh Steelers included. While Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finished out a Hall of Fame caliber career, the rest of the AFC North teams acquired Heisman winning quarterbacks in the meantime. 

As the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals used the 2018 and 2020 first-overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow, the Baltimore Ravens selected Lamar Jackson as the 32nd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Ravens and Bengals struck gold with their quarterbacks and have subsequently become serious contenders. The once walk-in-the-park AFC North for the Steelers has since become much more of a challenge. 

All eyes turned to the Steelers when Roethlisberger announced his retirement in January of 2022. After searching long and far for his replacement, it turned out that the future of the franchise was just next door at the University of Pittsburgh. The Steelers selected Kenny Pickett with the 20th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett was able to beat out his competition in Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph and earn the starting role heading into Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.

Despite keeping Mike Tomlin's impressive winning record alive, the Steelers haven't been able to become a true playoff contender in recent years. After a devastating 2021 playoff loss to the Browns, an MVP season from Jackson and a Super Bowl run from the Bengals, the Steelers are now back on par with their AFC North competition. Heading into the 2023 NFL season, the Steelers are projected to finish third in the division, behind the Bengals and Ravens. 

The Steelers Are Back And Better In 2023

Spearheaded by General Manager Omar Khan, the Steelers put together an impressive 2023 draft class headlined by Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports spoke on each of the AFC North teams and a rookie who is destined to thrive.

Many were thrilled when the Steelers acquired a first-round talent in a third-round pick with tight end out of the University of Georgia, Darnell Washington. Washington fell to the third due to medical concerns, but the black and gold didn't shy away. Trapasso spoke about his athletic stature and blocking abilities. 

"At a hair under 6'7" and 264 pounds with a frame that could easily add another 10-15 pounds without any explosiveness being sapped, Washington will be a runaway train in the NFL tell. Plus, he's a sincerely devastating blocker. Washington adds such a fun and unique layer to year two of the Kenny Pickett era."

Perhaps the Steelers' top competition, the Bengals, possess one of the NFL's most talented offenses starring Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. To add to the high-powered offense, the Bengals drafted running back Chase Brown in the fifth round. Brown is expected to compliment Joe Mixon and has already turned Trapasso's head.

"While not a ridiculous contact-balance back, Brown weaves through traffic like an action-movie star in a car-chase scene and proved in 2022 he has soft hands, 27 receptions for the Illini."

The Ravens and Browns, on the other hand, attempted to bolster their respective defenses. After the Ravens spent much of the offseason attempting to retain Jackson and address the receiving room, they selected linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round with the 86th pick. Simpson has impressed with his speed and is expected to play a big role alongside Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. The Browns selected Isaiah McGuire with the 126th pick, who is already excelling and should have an immediate impact come Week 1.

The AFC North drafted an impressive group of 2023 rookies. Who will stand out among the crowd? Only time will tell. Here at Steeler Nation, we're confident that the "Khan" artist found some up-and-coming stars. Who do you think the Steelers' most underrated rookie is going into the 2023 season? Let us know in the comments below.

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