Deep CB class helps Steelers fill other NFL draft needs

When it comes to the 2023 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have some very difficult decisions to make. With two picks in the first 32, the Steelers basically have two first-round picks to hit on two big draft needs.

Pittsburgh might have some help from a loaded cornerback class this season. Cornerback isn’t a top need but for many teams, it’s an easy choice. This means when the Steelers go on the clock, there’s a real chance a top player at a higher position of need falls to them.

Going through multiple simulations, it seems a minimum of three with a max of around five cornerbacks could come off the board before the Steelers pick. Here are the top cornerbacks in the upcoming draft based on the simulations:

1-Jerry Porter Jr., Penn State

2-Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

3-Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

4-Cam Smith, South Carolina

5-Kelee Ringo, Georgia

6-Clark Phillips III, Utah

If say, four of those guys are off the board when the Steelers go on the clock, this means two things. First, it means the Steelers should pass on a cornerback as drafting the fifth-best player at any position that early in the draft doesn’t make good sense.

But it also means another top play could fall. Perhaps the Steelers could steal Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johson Jr. or Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson. But at the bare minimum, Pittsburgh should be able to land one of the top three offensive tackles or an elite inside linebacker.