The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2023 NFL Draft needing to upgrade several areas of their team. Faced with an aging roster and a young quarterback, reinforcements were needed. In a draft that included a Round 1 trade, the selection of a franchise legacy player, and more, the question is, did they do enough?
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Picks by Round in 2023
The Steelers made picks in only five of the seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. They selected a bit more on the defensive side of the ball rather than the offensive. The Steelers historically take the “best player available” approach, meaning they do not necessarily focus on need. Their hope is to marry the two at the time they are on the clock. They believe they did that in 2023.
How Many Draft Picks Did the Steelers Have Entering the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Steelers had seven picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They selected four defensive players and three offensive players. They made selections in Rounds 1-4, and then not again until having multiple selections in the seventh round.
Three of their seven picks were inside of the top 50 selections. Teams covet the top 50 because, year in and year out, that is where the value is most likely collected. When teams have this type of opportunity to add more than two players in that range, missing on them hurts just a little more.
The Steelers traded former second-round wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2022 trade deadline and, in return, received the Bears’ second-round pick. That pick wound up being 32nd overall, as there were only 31 first-round draft picks because the Dolphins were stripped of their selection due to tampering.
Additionally, the Steelers sent their 2023 fifth-round pick to the Seahawks for CB Ahkello Witherspoon in September 2021. Before the 2022 season, Pittsburgh also struck a deal with the Denver Broncos. The Steelers traded for LB Malik Reed, sending a sixth-round pick to Denver in exchange for Reed and a seventh-rounder.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
However, that was not the last move, as the Steelers opted to give Kenny Pickett a veteran option at receiver and swapped seventh-round picks (No. 234 for No. 251) with the Los Angeles Rams for veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson.
Although he is coming off a disappointing season, he remains one of the more skilled players — when in full form — at his position and will round out the WR room with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
Who Did the Steelers Draft in 2023?
- Round 1, Pick 14 (From NE)
Broderick Jones, OT | Georgia - Round 2, Pick 32 (From CHI)
Joey Porter Jr., CB | Penn State - Round 2, Pick 49
Keeanu Benton, DT| Wisconsin - Round 3, Pick 93 (From CAR via SF)
Darnell Washington, TE | Georgia - Round 4, Pick 132 (From CAR via SF)
Nick Herbig, EDGE | Wisconsin - Round 7, Pick 241 (From MIN via DEN)
Corey Trice, CB | Purdue - Round 7, Pick 251
Spencer Anderson, OT | Maryland
The Steelers made a trade with the New England Patriots in the first round in order to move up and select offensive tackle Broderick Jones out of Georgia. Not only did this ensure that they got their guy, but it also hurt the New York Jets, who were sitting there at No. 15. The Jets were widely believed to be targeting an offensive tackle, and the consensus is that Jones was the best one available. Leave it to Bill Belichick to find a way to hurt his AFC East rival.
MORE: History of Pittsburgh Steelers First-Round NFL Draft Picks
The drafting of Joey Porter Jr. is significant, given who Porter’s father is. Joey Porter is a Steelers legend, having made multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams while being a member of the club. His son is a cornerback, whereas he was an edge defender, but the team hopes Porter Jr. can come in and have a similar impact. Many believe that he is a perfect fit for this defensive scheme, and he will get the chance to prove that early and often.
