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He pittsburgh steelers entered the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 with seven selections during the three-day event, including three in the top 49.
That didn’t take long to change, as they sent the 17th pick and the 120th pick (a fourth-rounder) to the patriots to jump to No. 14, past offensive tackle needed Jets and Commanders — to take Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. It’s the first time the Steelers have received a first-round offensive tackle since Jamain Stephens 1996, and the trade leaves Pittsburgh without picks between No. 80 and No. 241.
Despite strong interest to open Day 2, the Steelers stuck to No. 32 and took a player many expected to target No. 17, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Joey Porter Sr., for Of course, he was a professional. Bowl outside linebacker who played eight seasons with Pittsburgh. As a child, Porter Jr. competed against Antonio Brown in one-on-one drills and formed a friendship with Tomlin’s sons Dino and Mason.
The Steelers came back on the clock 17 picks later and added depth along the defensive line with Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton. He had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 12 games for the Badgers last season.
Pittsburgh traded 13 spots with the pantherstaking a fourth-round pick in the process, then added another Georgia player as they ended the slide of tight end Darnell Washington at the No. 93 pick. Washington was once considered a potential first- or second-round pick, but slipped near the end of Round 3.
The Steelers opened Day 3 with another family connection, adding Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig at No. 132. He’s the brother of guard Nate Herbigwhom Pittsburgh signed as a free agent earlier this spring.
Pittsburgh used its first pick in Round 7 on another big value, grabbing Purdue CB Corey Trice Jr., who was the 88th player on Brugler’s big board, nearly 40 spots better than any other player on the board in the No pick. 241.
With their final pick, the Steelers selected Maryland interior offensive lineman Spencer Anderson. Brugler rated Anderson as his 21st center.
round 1
No. 14 (of Patriots): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
how does it fit
Knowing there were several teams in need of an offensive line against the 17th pick, Pittsburgh jumps in to take Georgia tackle Broderick Jones, a powerful run-blocker and impressive athlete. Jones’ greatest attraction is his youth and physical gifts; At 21, his best football is ahead, and he has the potential to play right or left tackle as he develops. In the Steelers’ scheme, he will be an asset with all of Matt Canada’s misdirection and perimeter running games, and will be a threat on double teams or downhill runs. He’s not there yet as a pass protector, so expect him to pick up some bumps along the way, but the future is bright for Jones and this revamped offensive line in Pittsburgh. — Diante Lee
analysis by dane brugler
A former basketball player, Jones displays outstanding foot skills, coordination and recovery, disrupting the pace of runners when he unlocks his hips and transfers power from his lower body to his hands. However, he needs to do a better job of keeping his top and bottom half on the same page and it will take time at the next level for his technique to catch up with his talent. Overall, Jones lacks ideal refinement and experience, but with his movement skills, raw power, and ultimate violence, the necessary tools are there for him to be a decade-long starter in the nfl. He should be one of the first linemen drafted, and his NFL projection ranges from solid starter to Pro Bowler.
Analysis by Mike DeFabo: The Steelers added a high-ceiling blindside guard for Kenny Pickett, though Jones may not play right away..
Scott Dochterman grade: B-plus
round 2
No. 32 (of Bears): Joey Porter Jr., center, Steelers
how does it fit
The chance to see another Steelers black-and-yellow Porter felt too good to be true, but too moving not to see. The long, physical cornerback isn’t just coming into familiar surroundings, he’s an excellent choice for a defense that has been starving for a player like him. Porter has improved significantly each season, transitioning from an aggressive scrimmage player to a comfortable corner press, and his playability also makes him a viable zone corner. Steelers fans will be waving towels like crazy when he steps onto the field. — Leeward
GO DEEPER
Joey Porter Jr. aspires to make a name for himself in the NFL: ‘He wants me to be better than him’
analysis by dane brugler
With impressive NFL bloodlines, Porter gets in front of receivers and stifles them in pressure to divert and disrupt receiver time from one side of the field to the other. However, he plays heels, loses momentum on his hip-flip and clings to receivers to slow down his routes, racking up 11 coverage penalties over the past two seasons with several others that should have been called. Overall, Porter has clear downside potential with his unruly playstyle and unbalanced change of direction, but he has intriguing NFL matchup potential due to his aggressive length and body quickness. He projects as a classic hit-and-run cornerback and won’t fit perfectly into every scheme.
Analysis by Mark Kaboly: The stars aligned for the Steelers to achieve a perfect fit in a position of need to open Round 2.
Scott Dochterman Grade: B
No. 49: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
how does it fit
This has been a good second round for Pittsburgh, snagging Joey Porter Jr. to start things off and now landing one of the top three coaches in the draft. Benton is a long, powerful inside lineman who is difficult to convert in the running game and good enough with his length and hands to create quick passes on the ball. He can move and carries his weight well. Benton was outstanding in the Senior Bowl earlier this winter (I’m not sure he lost heads-up) and, while keeping leverage up to him is still a problem, he had great potential. — nick baumgardner
analysis by dane brugler
With his pocket push power, Benton constantly resets the line of scrimmage when his pad level is just right and plays with movement abilities to get up and down the line of scrimmage. His mediocre college production is a product of his role for the Badgers and his pass rush potential boosts his draft rating. Benton needs to play with consistent leverage and become a more consistent finisher for NFL play, but his solid power base and above-average athleticism for his size are standout key traits. He has the talent to play the entire defensive line as a pro.
Mike DeFabo’s analysis: Pittsburgh continues to strengthen the trenches with a versatile piece in Benton
Scott Dochterman Grade: A
round 3
No. 93 (from 49ers via Panthers): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
how does it fit
Concerns over Washington’s medicals clearly affected his draft stock, but there’s no denying that, when healthy, Washington will add an odd presence to any offense he joins. for pittsburgh and najee harris, it’s perfect, Washington is an advanced TE blocker and will be ready to contribute as a run shredder right away. He’s also a big threat in the jump ball, he’s a better pass catcher than he showed in Georgia. Health, for a man of this stature, is a concern. If it holds up, this is a major accomplishment for Pittsburgh, which is having a big day two. — baumgardner
analysis by dane brugler
At the leanest 270 pounds I’ve ever seen on a football field, Washington executes different types of blocks with his athletic range and physical hands to control, drive and direct defenders. As a receiver, he gives his quarterback a massive sack target and gobbles up the ball, though his long legs can get bogged down on redirect routes or when he makes sharp cuts on breaks. In general, Washington will need time to mature in areas, but he offers a unique set of skills to be a weapon as an NFL blocker as he continues to rise as a pass catcher, especially in the red zone. He is a unique talent with fascinating professional potential due to his rare length, playing strength and body flexibility for his size.
Analysis by Mark Kaboly: Washington was a luxury pick, but it brings value and a new dimension to Pittsburgh
Scott Dochterman Grade: A-plus
round 4
No. 132 (of 49ers via Panthers): Nick Herbig, OLB, Wisconsin
analysis by dane brugler
Despite being small, Herbig runs with the intensity and hand strength of a defensive end to fend off blockers both inside and out. He never turns his engine off in the chase, but he’s an inconsistent lead setter and NFL teams won’t hesitate to pounce on him. In general, Herbig isn’t built to handle multiple gaps or line up in tight areas in the NFL, but he does have the explosive drive, the use of his hands and the backfield instincts to bother quarterbacks. While he currently isn’t a true NFL player at all, the impact of him will be felt as a secondary running back and offers additional value if he develops his skills off the ball.
round 5
no selections
round 6
no selections
round 7
No. 241 (from vikings through broncos): Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue
analysis by dane brugler
An impressive height/weight/speed athlete, Trice passes the eyesight test with flying colors, her test numbers reflecting her above-average athletic traits. She is a bit of a cornerback safety tweener and needs to play a better pad level for quicker recoveries, but she shows great feel for reading breaks and displays GGI (go and get it) skills. Overall, Trice may never be a top-level technician, but she has exceptional size, speed, and change-of-direction abilities to be a disruptive coverage man both early and late on the replay. He offers positional versatility with starting potential in press or Cover 3 schemes.
No. 251 (from rams): Spencer Anderson, G/C, Maryland
(Photo by Broderick Jones: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
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