We’re heading into the third and final day of the 2023 NFL Draft. After a busy first two nights in which the Pittsburgh Steelers selected four players — OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., NT Kean Benton and TE Darnell Washington — three picks were slated for Saturday.
Pittsburgh currently picks #132 (fourth round), #241 (seventh round) and #251 (seventh round). While draft fans are already on day three, here are some names Pittsburgh could consider.
The square man
Jaren Hall/BYU — While some thought a guy like Hall could make it to the end of day two, he remains on the board. In fact, only the top five quarterbacks have been taken so far, from Bryce Young to Hendon Hooker. Quarterbacks tend to dwindle once potential franchise guys come off the board, meaning someone like Hall could slip in the draft. Although he lacks height and is older, he had a nice Senior Bowl and was brought in by the Steelers for a pre-draft visit. They need a #3 QB and that will be added in one way or another.
Clayton Tune/Houston – Much the same goes for Tune, who threw for 40 touchdowns last year in the Cougars’ high-octane offense. Another pre-draft visitor, Tune appears to slide into the late seventh round, but the quarterback position is becoming unpredictable at this point in the draft. And if Pittsburgh moves down from the fourth round for extra third-day picks, Tune might have a better chance.
Wide receiver
Charlie Jones/Purdy – In 2022, Jones bounced from Buffalo to Iowa and then Purdue. With Aidan O’Connell throwing to him as a solid college QB, Jones gained nearly 1,400 yards with 12 touchdowns. He has the speed to win downfield and is an asset in the return game with one career punt and return for a touchdown; The Steelers invited him to visit. A mixed class of receivers could push him, though being the 132nd overall pick wouldn’t be jaw-dropping either.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton/West Virginia – A 6’4, 221 height/weight/speed freak who ran 4.38 and jumped 41 inches, Ford-Wheaton is hard to separate and has some nasty drops on tape. But the talent is there, and he, like Jones, came to visit, even though it was considered a local that didn’t count toward the Steelers’ allotted 30. If Pittsburgh wants to bet on size and attributes, it’s on to something. throughout the draft, Ford-Wheaton falls right into it.
Xavier Hutchinson/Iowa State – Big slot receiver and great blocker who has earned Allen Lazard company. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan attended the Cyclones’ Pro Day and met with Hutchinson. Figuring out his value on day three is a bit tricky. He seems to have picked 5/6. round, none for Pittsburgh, but he remains a name to keep an eye on throughout Day Three.
Interior offensive line
Chandler Zavala/NC State – Steelers OL coach Pat Meyer attended the Wolfpack’s Pro Day, and Zavala — a Combine snub — visited shortly after. A transfer from D-II Fairmont State, Zavala showed off his athleticism at his Pro Day, but hasn’t heard his name called. There are reportedly concerns about a back injury. But if Pittsburgh is comfortable, he could be in play in the fourth round if the Steelers want to add extreme defensive back depth.
Jerome Carwin / Tennessee – If the Steelers want late versatility — and that’s always a good thing — then Carwin could be their guy. He spent a lot of time in all three interior spots, and Meyer participated in Volunteer Pro Day. Darnell Wright was the main attraction, but Carwin shouldn’t be forgotten either. He measures in at 6’4, 307 with 34 1/2 inch arms.
Olu Oluwatimi/Michigan – Winner of the Rimington Trophy Award for college football’s best center in 2020. It’s a surprise that he hasn’t received much attention in the pre-draft process. He certainly lacks elite physical tools, but he has some size and length and some pedigree. Quality depth option behind Mason Cole. At the moment, there is little behind him.
Defense line
Carl Brooks/Bowling Green – While the Steelers took Keane Benton with the No. 49 pick, the initial plan is to take him at nose tackle. On paper and in theory, that leaves three tech options open and could open the door for someone like Brooks. DL coach Carl Dunbar was at his Pro Day and the team brought him in for a pre-draft visit. Brooks doesn’t have ideal length, but he’s an energetic player with heavy hands and tons of upside.
Scott Matlock/Boise State – Tossing a name off my sleeper list, Matlock has the size and experience to play 4i in the NFL. He’s probably a seventh-round pick with some athleticism. The Steelers may look to add to their defensive line cap space, though there has been no reported interest in him.
EDGE
Robert Beale/Georgia – Despite a complete lack of depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, the Steelers haven’t drafted an EDGE rusher with one of the top four picks. The odds seem slim on Day 3, but Beal was brought in for a pre-draft visit. He’s very tall and from Georgia, which is essentially two draft picks for Pittsburgh. Better production in 2021 than 2022 and could be a 7th round option.
Isaiah McGuire/Missouri — A worthy recommendation from Dave Bryan, McGuire was one of the few pass rushers to give Broderick Jones fitness this year. With size, power and good bend to his frame, McGuire lacks top-end tools, but is solid at #3. rotational EDGE rusher with a good run plan. Option at #132.
Habakkuk Baldonado/Pittsburgh – The Steelers didn’t have to go too far to scout him. Like McGuire, he has some size and length, though his production dipped last season and he finished 2022 with a pair of sacks. Injuries are partly due to the fall. Chance in the seventh round at 241 or 251.
Lonnie Phelps/Kansas – Phelps isn’t the biggest or tallest, but he has a similar body type to Quincy Roche, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2021 and returned to the roster. Phelps, like Roche, moved up and was still producing. Phelps transferred from Miami (OH) to Kansas and finished last year with 11.5 tackles and seven sacks. He’s also an intense special teams player, and that alone should earn him a No. 53 rating.
Inside Linebacker
Nick Herbig/Wisconsin – An EDGE rusher in college, Herbig isn’t big enough or long enough to stick around in the NFL and has basically conceded that he’ll be playing off-ball on Sundays. Pittsburgh sent LB coach Aaron Curry to its Pro Day, and Herbig tested well overall. At 6’2, 240, he’d have good size as an inside linebacker in Pittsburgh, though his frame may still look a little small considering how he doesn’t carry that weight. However, he is a relentless, productive player who will excel on special teams as he waits his turn. Serious option #132.
Defensive back
Justin Ford/Montana – A potential late seventh-round pick, though he’ll likely go undrafted. The Steelers have shown some interest in Ford throughout the pre-draft process. His 40 time of 4.6 seconds was far from perfect, but he has top-notch ball skills and had nine assists two years ago. The Louisville transfer may move to safety after playing cornerback in college.
Daniel Scott/Cal – A sixth-year player who returned to school to improve his game, Scott had a solid 2022 season and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. But it was at the Combine where he really caught the attention of draftniks with a 9.94 RAS. Scott was brought in for a pre-draft visit and remains on the board as a reminder of how uninspiring this safety class is.
Chamarri Conner/Virginia Tech – Conner is a slot safety with hitting power and energy. The production stalled later in his Hokies career, but he had excellent testing with a 9.16 RAS and is a ferocious special teams player. Over 800 snaps and wore #25 four times. Frank Beamer had his special jersey number taken away and only given to special teams standouts. Conner is considered a seventh-round pick, but may move higher during his testing.
Anthony Johnson/Iowa State – Much of what can be said about Conner applies to Johnson. A safety/slot hybrid, Johnson is probably a slightly better coverage guy than Conner. Johnson has five forced fumbles during his Cyclones career. Johnson indicated that he had an extensive conversation with the Steelers at his Pro Day.
Tanner Ingle/NC State — He got a pretty clear and undraftable grade from me, but Ingle came in for a visit and, like Conner and Johnson, has slot/safety versatility. He wants to hit and be physical, but his small frame, missed tackles, and lack of coverage ability doesn’t match the draftable grade to me. But maybe the Steelers take a similar approach to Tre Norwood.
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