Steelers Top Options on Day 2 of NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers currently own the 32nd pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft meaning that they are officially on the clock...for now.
Omar Khan's cell phone has likely been ringing off of the hook, and they've made it clear that they'll listen to offers. With three current Day 2 selections already in their back pocket, they have plenty of ammo to snag more talent on Friday night.
Last year's list included both George Pickens and DeMarvin Leal, so let's see if we can go on a hot streak. Here are some names to keep an eye on as the second night of the draft approaches:
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
This one is just too obvious, right? There's not a prospect in this class that they are more familiar with. Cornerback is currently their biggest need on the roster, and with Porter Jr. falling out of the first round, this almost seems too good to be true. Porter Jr. has incredible length and tons of press man experience, which could in handy as the Steelers are surely going to be in the market for long-term solutions at the position.
Brian Branch, S, Alabama
I've deemed Branch "a supercharged Mike Hilton" for how aggressive and physical he plays near the line of scrimmage. He can blitz and play the run like Hilton but offers more coverage upside at the NFL level. Branch is safety capable but spent most of his time in the slot which is another question mark for the Steelers' defense, with Cam Sutton's departure leaving a void. At the NFL Combine, Branch was elated about the possibility of teaming up with Minkah Fitzpatrick and he just might get his chance.
Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
Every cycle, there are a couple of players that just look like a Steeler, and Keeanu Benton is that guy in this class. He's played a lot of nose tackle for the Wisconsin defense, but his best fit in the pros might be as a 3T. Either way, Pittsburgh could certainly use him. Benton is an improving pass rusher, but he's a ready-made NFL run defender who is powerful with plus hand usage. It wouldn't surprise me if the Steelers pulled the trigger in round two.
Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
Pittsburgh has spent a good amount of time with the Florida product throughout the cycle, and it's pretty easy to see why. Dexter is a blank canvas who doesn't really quite know what he's doing at the moment, without a pass-rushing plan or toolkit to speak of. However, his tools flash on tape a couple times per game and reel you in immediately. With plus play strength and unreal athleticism, Dexter has one of the higher ceilings of any player left on the board but it just might take him a little while to get there.
Keion White, IDL, Georgia Tech
At 6-5, 285 pounds, equipped with 34-inch arms, Keion White certainly looks the part of a premier NFL pass rusher. There aren't many dudes in the league built like him that can move the way that he can, as his athleticism is pretty freaky. The thing that makes White a bit of a polarizing prospect is that he's fairly raw, along with being an older prospect. One thing that certainly fits the "Steelers" mold is that White plays with an unbelievably hot motor that simply doesn't turn off, giving him a floor that's respectable.
Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
There's been a lot of smoke regarding Stevenson lately, whose stock certainly seems to be on the rise since the Senior Bowl. He's a height/weight/speed marvel whose patient footwork at the line of scrimmage allows him to function well in press coverage. He's also played a little bit of slot corner dating back to his time at Georgia and that could potentially be a way to get him on the field early in his career with the Steelers.
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Washington is a massive, throwback in-line tight end who can transform a teams running game essentially by himself. Many are intrigued by his receiving upside, but as his blocking ability gives him an incredibly high floor as a potential long-time TE2. The crazy that about Washington's role as a blocker is that he's not even technically refined, he was just bigger and stronger than everyone in the SEC, but with improved hand usage, he could dominate in the NFL. You can still throw it to him up the seam and in the flats, too. His addition would allow Pat Freiermuth to focus on what he does best: make plays catching the football.
John Michael-Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
Omar Khan got aggressive in making sure that he left round one with a franchise-caliber left tackle, and they might not be done adding in the trenches. Even after spending money along the interior in free agency, the Steelers continued to do more work on guard and center prospects. John Michael-Schmitz has been linked to the team throughout the process. He's awesome on zone runs and has the feeling of a solid long-term center in the league. Mason Cole is a fine stopgap option, but they could be looking for an upgrade for the future.
Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
Avila was generating some late first-round buzz as we got closer to draft day, but I'm a bit surprised that it took that long. If you go back and watch his final two games in college against Georgia and Michigan, he certainly looks like a quality starting offensive lineman prospect. Along with being excellent in pass protection, Avila has logged snaps at four different positions, including center during his time in college. All of the points made above in reference to John-Michael Schmitz apply here, too. Avila would be a rock-solid pick in round two.
Dorian Williams, ILB, Tulane
Pittsburgh completely overhauled their inside linebacker room in free agency, but there's still something missing: someone who excels in coverage. That's where Williams fit comes into play with the Steelers. He's a violent hitter with a long wing span and the athleticism to excel in coverage, just like he did in college. He might not be an every-down player as a rookie, but he feels like the missing component to their current group and someone they could mold into a starter in the near future.
Nick Herbig, EDGE/ILB, Wisconsin
Wisconsin's defense has some familiar schematic elements, so that's why these guys end up on these lists each and every year. Herbig has primarily played as a 3-4 outside linebacker despite not being listed over 230 pounds. He bulked up for the NFL Combine and carried that weight well but there are still rumblings about whether a position switch to inside backer is in the works. However, the Steelers could use depth at both positions making this a win-win. Herbig has some legit bend to him to pair with his overall impressive athletic traits.
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
There weren't many more productive pass rushers than Tuipulotu in all of college football last season. He has nice size for an edge rusher, but it's how he carries that size that makes him so enticing, as he's twitched up and can rush from different alignments. Pittsburgh has to figure out a way to add another edge defender behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. It's also worth pointing out that the Highsmith is an impending free agent after the season is over and the cupboard is pretty bare behind him at the moment. EDGE is an under-discussed need.
Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
This is one of the more common names in the mock drafts of Steelers fans. Ika is an absolute load in the middle of a defense, 335 pounds of pure beef. He's been a known commodity for quite some time, having played on LSU's National Championship team back in 2019. His final season for Baylor didn't quite live up to expectations, and he tested poorly at the NFL combine, so who truly knows where his stock really lies at this moment. But if the Steelers are in the market for a two-down wrecking ball who is going to consistently draw double teams, Ika could certainly fill that role.
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32nd Pick Red Hot for Steelers
