Though the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is winding down, the Pittsburgh Steelers might not be done yet. At his press conference to discuss the Broderick Jones selection at 14th overall, Mike Tomlin didn’t rule out the team trading back into the Top 31.
“We’re still open for business,” Tomlin said in a press conference carried about by the team’s YouTube channel. “I think it’s just prudent to be man. This a quality draft.”
On Monday, Omar Khan and Tomlin discussed the depth of the draft during their pre-draft presser. They praised the depth of the overall class, citing the groups at cornerback, wide receiver, EDGE rusher, d-line, and tight end. Before the draft kicked off, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted that the Steelers were considering a move back into the first round.
As of this writing, the Baltimore Ravens just made their pick at #22, taking Boston College WR Zay Flowers.
If Pittsburgh were to make a move, going after a cornerback would be logical. As of this writing, Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and Maryland’s Deonte Banks remain on the board. The Steelers did, however, deal a fourth-round pick, #120 overall, to the New England Patriots in order to select Jones. Pittsburgh’s shown interest in the top of this cornerback class, including bringing in Porter and Banks – among several others – for pre-draft visits.
If the Steelers don’t move back up in the first round, they’ll hold the top pick of Round Two Friday night, #32 overall. They’ll pick again at #49 and then again at #80 in the middle of the third round. We’ll be here to cover it all for you throughout the weekend.
