NFL Draft 2023: Why do the Steelers have the No. 32 pick?

The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here’s how that happened.

The top of the 2023 NFL Draft board is officially set. The coveted first-overall pick will be going to the Chicago Bears, after they lost to the Minnesota Vikings 29-13 in Week 18 and the Houston Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 32-31. With this, they have the choice to either take one of the top defensive players available, or haul in some draft capital from a team in need of a quarterback.

As for the Steelers, they just missed out on the playoffs despite defeating the Cleveland Browns 28-14. They are set to pick in the middle of the first-round, but also at the No. 32 spot.

Here is how they got that spot.

Why do the Steelers have the No. 32 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?

The Steelers received this pick ironically from the Bears after sending them wide receiver Chase Claypool. In exchange, Pittsburgh received Chicago’s second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Since the Bears have the worst record in the NFL, they receive the top pick in each round of the draft. Normally, that is the No. 33 pick. But this year, it is No. 32. Why is that?

Well, the Miami Dolphins were docked their 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick after an NFL investigation regarding whether the team made integrity of the game violations. They stemmed from “impermissible communications” with Tom Brady (2019-20, 2021) and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton’s agent (Jan. 2022) about joining their team. Hence why there will only be 31 selections in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers once again finished an NFL season without a losing record under head coach Mike Tomlin. After a promising end to the season from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, it will be interesting to see what the Steelers do in the NFL Draft to help bolster their roster.