NFL Draft 2023: Best players available Steelers should target on Day 2
By Scott Rogust
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. With three picks on Day 2, here are some of the best players available.
The first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft is over, and there were plenty of no-brainer picks and several surprises. When it came to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they ensured that they gave their first-round pick last year, Kenny Pickett, some help. With offensive tackles flying off the board early, the Steelers negotiated a trade with the New England Patriots to land the 14th overall pick to jump ahead of the New York Jets. With the pick, the Steelers selected Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones to help protect Pickett in the pocket.
Now, the focus will be on the second night of the draft, which will feature the second and third rounds. It just so happens that the Steelers hold the very first pick of the second round. It also just so happens that there are some big names available.
Here are five players that the Steelers should target.
Best players available Steelers should target on Day 2: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Steelers brought in veteran and future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson to lead their cornerback depth chart. But they still need help, as they lost Cam Sutton in free agency to the Detroit Lions. It just so happens that one of the top corners in the draft fell out of the first round and it is Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. For those wondering, yes, he is the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.
There were four cornerbacks selected in the first round: Devon Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, Christian Gonzalez and Deonte Banks. Porter shockingly couldn’t find a team. But, he shouldn’t have a long wait.
This past season, Porter recorded 27 total tackles (21 solo, six assisted), 11 passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 10 games.
With the Cincinnati Bengals being, well, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Baltimore Ravens adding wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the Steelers need to address the secondary.
Bringing in Porter to address the need and to have a feel-good moment by bringing in the son of the former linebacker will certainly make Steelers fans happy.