There is a saying that Vegas always knows something. There is a lot of money to be made in sports betting so the oddsmakers are always on top of everything. Just recently, the sports betting company DraftKings expanded its NFL Draft props and with that people have been making mock drafts based off it.
One of those who made a mock draft off the new props is Eric Froton of NBC Sports Edge. Based off the new odds, he has the Steelers selecting Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright at pick 17.
“The giant UT right tackle shut down Will Anderson during the 2022 season before taking the Senior Bowl by storm, earning offensive line MVP honors for his strong play and elevating Wright (6’5/333) to the first-round discussion,” wrote Froton. “There is a lot to like about him, as it’s remarkable how polished his sets are in comparison to other linemen that had some physical advantages over him. Pittsburgh is (+120) to take a cornerback, (+150) to take an OL and (+330) to go with a defensive lineman.”
Based on the odds, the Steelers are most likely to take a cornerback, but if one of the consensus top-three corners (Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, and Joey Porter Jr.) aren’t there an offensive lineman could certainly be the draft pick. The team has attacked the offensive line this offseason, making three signings to that position group already, so there is a reason to think they keep addressing that position group.
It is likely that Pittsburgh isn’t done yet with the tackle position not being upgraded through free agency. Pittsburgh may look to add to the offensive line in the draft, and possibly in Round One, with seven of its Top-30 visits being an offensive lineman.
It will almost certainly come down to how the board shapes up, but at 17 Wright could be the pick if the Steelers desperately want a tackle. Normally projected as late Day One/early Day Two, Wright excelled at Tennessee but has much more experience playing right tackle than left tackle. If the Steelers aren’t comfortable with him playing left tackle, it may be a smarter play to try and snag him at 32 just based off positional value.
This feels like the first time in a few years when it is hard to pick where the Steelers will go in Round One. Last year it felt that Pittsburgh was almost certainly going to go quarterback in the first round. In 2021 the Steelers basically announced to the entire league their selection of Najee Harris months before the Draft. This year it is different.
Even Vegas isn’t super confident one way or another.
