Steelers Could Capitalize Off Of Other Teams' Desperation In 2023 NFL Draft

At Pick 17, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be hoping that a top prospect falls right into their laps in the 2023 NFL Draft. With the Scouting Combine happening, along with talks for trading up with the Chicago Bears heating up across the league, the Steelers might just get their guy without trading up. Being able to get guys like Will Anderson or Jalen Carter are highly unlikely, but they could land a top prospect at offensive tackle or cornerback. If some of these teams do fall into the insanity of bidding wars and media overhype, the Steelers will be ready to capitalize.

There are many teams looking at a potential franchise quarterback in the draft. The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are all but confirmed to take a QB with their 1st pick. Dan Campbell recently stated that he's looking for Jared Goff's successor, meaning that the Detroit Lions will most likely go for a new QB in the 1st round. Four quarterbacks will likely get drafted before pick 17, and counting Anderson and Carter being gone early, that's six players gone before the Steelers are on the clock.

It helps that Anthony Richardson has suddenly been hyped as a potential #1 overall pick for his physical traits. He's being compared to Josh Allen, who also had a lot of physicality coming out of college, as well as being very raw. Teams might try to trade up and get the QB with the highest upside, making it easier for another prospect to fall a bit.

Jordan Addison has reportedly had somewhat of a weak combine, which could lead to him falling on some team's draft boards. In an overall weak wide receiver class, teams might get a little too excited to either trade up or just stay put and select Quentin Johnson or Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Steelers won't be looking too hard at receiver, but if there is one receiver they should land, it should be Kenny Pickett's former teammate. Even if they don't get the former elite college combination, that just leaves more room for a high end prospect to fall down for 16 picks. 

Bijan Robinson has been getting hyped up as a generational talent. Despite the running back position losing value by the year, there's normally at least one team that shoots their shot (as Steelers fans would know). Could a team ahead of Pittsburgh take the bait and draft Robinson? The New York Giants could try for him if they let Saquon Barkley walk. If the Las Vegas Raiders do a tag-and-trade with Josh Jacobs, they could get desperate and draft his successor immediately. There's no guarantee that Robinson is drafted high, but the Steelers are hoping he is. 

Who would be left for the Steelers?

If all those players get drafted before 17, as well as a couple other edge rushers that could easily go before the Steelers' pick, that's 12 players already gone. With only four draft picks before 17, the Steelers would be in great shape. The Steelers have already had formal meetings with every top cornerback prospect, and in this situation, they would be in a great position to draft one. Even if Christian Gonzalez doesn't fall far enough, the Steelers could still secure someone like Kelee Ringo or Cam Smith. 

Even if the Steelers can't secure a top cornerback, they would then be in play for a much-needed blindside blocker. Even if Paris Johnson doesn't fall, Boderick Jones could be available at 17, which could help take the Steelers' offensive line over the top. The less pressure that Kenny Pickett feels, the better he'll play and the more he'll be able to develop. Either way, the Steelers better keep their eyes open, as the best players at their biggest needs could come to them without a need to trade up. Free agency will decide a lot, but it should be a stress-free first round for Omar Khan's first full offseason.