NFL Mock Draft: Steelers guard Kenny Pickett in 7-round 2023 projection

Daund Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by G. Fiume/Getty Images)

In this 7-round NFL Mock Draft, the Steelers will have to protect Kenny Pickett at all costs in the 2023 NFL Draft, a goal for Pittsburgh.

if so Pittsburgh Steelers They want to get the most out of a 2022 first-round pick and a new franchise quarterback Kenny PickettThere is one thing that should be at the top of their priority list: securing Kenny Pickett.

Obviously, a big part of that comes on the offensive line, literally, to protect steels A quarterback who was under constant pressure in his rookie season. However, there is more to it than that. Protecting Pickett means surrounding him with more weapons and, perhaps more importantly, keeping the team’s strength on the defense to reduce pressure on the young signal-caller.

In free agency, the Steelers made strong efforts in that regard, with the likes of LB Cole Holcomb, CB Patrick Peterson, LB Elandon Roberts, S Damonta Kazee and S Keanu Neal among others making big splashes to bolster the defense. Offensive linebacker Isaac Seumalo. However, some of these moves are short-term options and, frankly, band-aids to replace some losses. It is there 2023 NFL Draft It comes into focus.

As Pittsburgh looks to the draft, the goal is still to secure Kenny Pickett and put him in the best position to maximize his potential. That’s what you’d be doing if you followed this 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft for the Steelers.

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NFL Mock Draft 2023: Steelers 7-round projection focuses on guard Kenny Pickett

1

Down Jones

O.T Ohio State

Dawn Jones is linked to the Steelers and makes perfect sense.

As long as you’ve been paying attention, Pittsburgh has made it clear many times under Mike Tomlin where their needs lie in the first round of the draft. So with the head coach talking about the offensive tackles earlier this offseason, concerns about Dan Moore Jr.’s viability at left tackle and visits with the future, things are pointing in one direction.

That direction is the behemoth from Ohio State, Down Jones.

Tipping the scales at 374 pounds and measuring in at 6-foot-8, Jones literally casts a long shadow, but he has the game and talent to back that up. Obviously, he’s not a terrible athlete at that size, but he’s very adept at using his ridiculous length and girth to dominate defenders on the edge, and he thrives on that.

Because of his physical/athletic limitations, Jones figures to be a true tackle at the NFL level, something the Ravens were hoping they could continue to do with Orlando Brown Jr. But with Chuck Okorafor playing on the left side, that’s a situation the Steelers can certainly work with.

Jones already has He had a top 30 visit with Pittsburgh. In March and that seems to indicate where the franchise’s goal lies. In fact, the pick at No. 17 is starting to look weird if it’s not Jones at this point.

3-4 rounds | Round 7