We know it is far too early to start thinking about the 2023 NFL draft. But mock drafts like this one from Sports Illustrated give everyone not only a good working list of the top prospects for the upcoming college football season but also a look at the positions teams still have or will have needs next season.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, two things stand out in this new one-round mock draft. First, the Steelers are picking No. 11 overall. This would almost certainly mean head coach Mike Tomlin’s streak of non-losing seasons is over. It also means the quarterback changes didn’t pan out in Year One.
The other thing that stands out is the choice. They have Pittsburgh selecting Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. Johnson is an interesting case because he’s a natural offensive tackle who has been forced to play guard for his first two seasons with the Buckeyes.
Johnson is supposed to move back to tackle for the 2022 season and we will get a much better idea of how quickly he can get back to form. The Steelers could definitely be in the market for a new offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor can’t step up this season.
