Exciting Rookies The Steelers Will Be Leaning On In 2023

It should be no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers could face an uphill battle to compete in the AFC North and reach the playoffs. To get to the postseason, Pittsburgh will need contributions from the entire roster and some unexpected sources. That figures to include the team’s rookie class.

Nobody would blame fans and bettors for being a little bullish on Pittsburgh’s chances. Those in Canada, in particular, can explore sites like BettingOnlineCanada.com to learn more about the top sportsbooks to use. But if those betting on the Steelers this year hope to be rewarded, Pittsburgh’s rookies will have to step up. Let’s look at some of the rookies the Steelers will be leaning on the most in 2023.

Steelers DT Keeanu Benton

Drafted in the second round out of Wisconsin, Benton is one of the few Pittsburgh rookies who could step into the starting lineup right away. The massive nose tackle has a chance to be one of the best run stoppers in the NFL right off the bat after getting rave reviews for his performance during the preseason. The Steelers have always been known for their stout defense, and that needs to be the case again this year. The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, two division rivals, are both run-heavy teams. That will make Benton a key figure in the four games against those teams, not to mention an important player along the defensive line.

Joey Porter Jr.

The Steelers were a little fortunate that Porter was still available 32nd overall when they grabbed him. But as the son of a Pittsburgh legend, he was the perfect player for the Steelers to draft. Of course, that means that Porter will have a little extra pressure on him to become a difference-maker for the Pittsburgh defense. With veterans Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace at cornerback, the Steelers won’t need to rush Porter into the starting lineup right away. But even after an uneven preseason, Porter figures to see plenty of the field as a rookie and is talented enough to give the Pittsburgh secondary an immediate boost this season.

Darnell Washington

After scoring just three touchdowns during his three years in college, Washington didn’t quite live up to his billing as a five-star recruit. However, he made some highlight-reel catches during the preseason and started to make a name for himself. Head Coach Mike Tomlin even singled out Washington as a player who could become a key part of the offense. Washington is known mostly as a blocker, but has turned heads as a receiver thus far, so he could contribute to the Pittsburgh offense in multiple ways. Of course, Pat Freiermuth is locked in as the starting tight end for the Steelers. But Washington could push Connor Heyward as the primary backup, which means Washington could play a lot of snaps for the Steelers this year.

Broderick Jones

Last but not least, there is Jones, who was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick this year. The offensive tackle helped Georgia win back-to-back National Championships and earned First Team All-SEC honors last year. Throughout the preseason, Jones battled Dan Moore Jr. to be the starting left tackle. But even if Jones doesn’t win the job outright by Week 1, he could find himself in the starting lineup at some point during his rookie season, pushing Moore to the bench or to right tackle. If that ends up happening, Jones will be responsible for protecting the blindside of quarterback Kenny Pickett, making him one of the most important players on Pittsburgh’s roster in 2023.