The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a solid job in free agency of assessing and filling their needs. By adding Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig, the Steelers got better along the offensive line, while the additions of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts strengthen the team’s linebacker corps. Breiden Fehoko and the recent signing of Armon Watts help provide depth on the interior defensive line. But there are still some holes and work to be done to make Pittsburgh’s rosters complete. That’s why Bleacher Report lists the Steelers as a team that has to “nail” the 2023 NFL Draft in order to be successful next season.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to outperform expectations last year, pushing head coach Mike Tomlin’s streak of consecutive non-losing seasons to 16. While the club also checked off the biggest item on its to-do list in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era by securing a franchise quarterback in Kenny Pickett, it still has plenty left to accomplish before it becomes a true playoff threat. The draft is the best chance for the Steelers to shore up weaknesses that they didn’t address in free agency, as they hold four picks in the top 80, including the No. 17 overall selection,” Alex Kay wrote for Bleacher Report.
With three picks inside the top 50, the draft is a golden opportunity for the Steelers to add some legitimate talent and depth to the roster. It’s a near-lock that a cornerback will be among Pittsburgh’s top selections, while wide receiver, offensive tackle and EDGE are also positions that Pittsburgh probably will address.
With free agency talent drying up, it’s not unreasonable to say that the draft is going to be extremely important for Pittsburgh’s chance of success next season. While that’s usually a ridiculous notion, the team is playing in a loaded AFC North and still has some holes to address. That doesn’t mean the Steelers haven’t done a good job in free agency, but they need to add better depth so they don’t run into some of the issues they did last season.
At EDGE, when T.J. Watt went down, the team got pretty much nothing from Malik Reed and Jamir Jones. They’re looking to prevent a similar situation at offensive line this year with some of their additions, but if the Steelers lose one of Watt or Alex Highsmith, the depth behind them right now is non-existent. Similarly, the cornerback room is thin. The Steelers don’t have a good slot cornerback on the roster, and the options behind Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson aren’t ones with which the Steelers should be comfortable. Bringing in some new faces who can start when needed could go a long way toward Pittsburgh’s success in 2023.
As far as the starters go, the Steelers look like a pretty solid team outside of cornerback. But adding guys through the draft who can serve as depth and play immediately this year in case of injury or players just needing rest is going to be important.
It could be the key to Pittsburgh’s 2023 season.
