DesertSteel
05-10-2023, 11:43 PM
ESPN published a list of the top 100 picks based on talent, value and fit. The Steelers had 4 of the top 37.
4. Joey Porter Jr (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4426506/joey-porter-jr)., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 2-32)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 15
Porter is the first non-Round 1 selection on the board here, and it isn't just about the heartwarming story of a player being drafted by his father's former team (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/36314970/steelers-select-joey-porter-jr-second-round-nfl-draft). JPJ was my No. 15 overall player and ended up getting drafted 17 selections later, speaking to the value of the pick. As for scheme fit, he'll be the team's CB1 as a rookie thanks to his toughness at the line of scrimmage and when attacking the ball in the air.
13. Broderick Jones (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4428990/broderick-jones), OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 1-14)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 12
The Jones pick was awesome for several reasons but primarily because the Steelers played the board well and jumped the tackle-needy Jets. The need for a plug-and-play left tackle had been kept quiet in Pittsburgh, and Jones fits there. He is raw as a prospect, but his power and agility on the move will make him an immediate star in the run game with developmental ability in passing situations.
26. Darnell Washington (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4430802/darnell-washington), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 3-93)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 30
This was not a need pick in any way -- Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4361411/pat-freiermuth) -- but I still love it because the Steelers stole some value. Washington had knee injuries that caused him to drop to No. 93 overall, but there aren't many 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight ends running 4.64-second 40-yard dashes. It's a worthwhile risk at that point in the draft to invest in rare traits.
37. Cory Trice (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4372492/cory-trice), CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 7-241)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 83
The Steelers got one of the steals (no pun intended) of the draft if Trice can stay healthy. He had a third-round grade on my board thanks to his size and physical style of play. Trice will join fellow rookie Joey Porter Jr. to potentially form the team's future at cornerback.
4. Joey Porter Jr (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4426506/joey-porter-jr)., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 2-32)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 15
Porter is the first non-Round 1 selection on the board here, and it isn't just about the heartwarming story of a player being drafted by his father's former team (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/36314970/steelers-select-joey-porter-jr-second-round-nfl-draft). JPJ was my No. 15 overall player and ended up getting drafted 17 selections later, speaking to the value of the pick. As for scheme fit, he'll be the team's CB1 as a rookie thanks to his toughness at the line of scrimmage and when attacking the ball in the air.
13. Broderick Jones (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4428990/broderick-jones), OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 1-14)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 12
The Jones pick was awesome for several reasons but primarily because the Steelers played the board well and jumped the tackle-needy Jets. The need for a plug-and-play left tackle had been kept quiet in Pittsburgh, and Jones fits there. He is raw as a prospect, but his power and agility on the move will make him an immediate star in the run game with developmental ability in passing situations.
26. Darnell Washington (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4430802/darnell-washington), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 3-93)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 30
This was not a need pick in any way -- Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4361411/pat-freiermuth) -- but I still love it because the Steelers stole some value. Washington had knee injuries that caused him to drop to No. 93 overall, but there aren't many 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight ends running 4.64-second 40-yard dashes. It's a worthwhile risk at that point in the draft to invest in rare traits.
37. Cory Trice (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4372492/cory-trice), CB, Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-steelers) (Pick 7-241)
My pre-draft ranking: No. 83
The Steelers got one of the steals (no pun intended) of the draft if Trice can stay healthy. He had a third-round grade on my board thanks to his size and physical style of play. Trice will join fellow rookie Joey Porter Jr. to potentially form the team's future at cornerback.