Enhancing the offensive line and adding a QB sleeper in the Steelers mock draft

Enhancing the offensive line and adding a QB sleeper in the Steelers mock draft.

The front office might have been new, but the approach was old-school for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 2023 NFL Draft, as the franchise began to return to its ground-and-pound roots by targeting the trenches early and often.

 

With Omar Khan’s first-ever pick in the pilot’s chair, the GM addressed the offensive line and earned himself the nickname the “Khan Artist” by trading up to select Georgia tackle Broderick Jones. The Steelers continued to prioritize the line of scrimmage by drafting defensive lineman Keeanu Benton in the second round and later Darnell Washington, a tight end so big he proudly calls himself the “sixth lineman.” If there was any question about what the picks said about the new front office’s philosophy, assistant GM Andy Weidl

If the Steelers want to upgrade over Mason Cole, they are in an interesting position to draft a center. With the 20th pick, the top player at that position, Powers-Johnson, will probably still be on the board. But if they wait until the second round, there’s a chance all of the top three centers — Powers-Johnson, Duke’s Graham Barton and Frazier — will be gone….