Capsules on all of Steelers' draft picks, connections to our coverage taken on the South Side (Steelers)

ABIGAIL DEAN / STEELERS

Broderick Jones has his photo snapped by a fellow passenger on Pittsburgh International Airport's tram Friday.

The Steelers went into the first night of the draft with picks 17, 32, 49, 80, 120, 241 and 251. And because of the work done in free agency, Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II had plenty of flexibility with each of those picks.

Below you will find everything you need to know about all of the newest additions to the Steelers, including all of our coverage and analysis on each selection.

FIRST ROUND

*NO. 14: BRODERICK JONES, OT, GEORGIA

* - The Steelers traded the 17th and 120th picks in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Patriots to move up to the 14th overall pick.

College Background: The two-time national champion didn't earn his big break until the end of the 2021 season as a redshirt freshman, when he played in every game but started the last four including the national championship game at left tackle after starter Jamaree Salyer was injured against Auburn that season.

He truly emerged as a top prospect when he became a full-time starter in 2022, earning a first-team All-SEC nod after starting all 15 games on Georgia's second straight national champion team. Jones earned an 84.1 pass-blocking grade from PFF as a full-time left tackle. He also did not allow a single sack in 445 pass blocks at tackle in 2022, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The Lithonia, Ga., native was a part of Georgia's embarrassment of riches in its top-rated recruiting class of 2020. In that class, coach Kirby Smart pulled in four consensus five-star prospects which will be in this draft: Jones, Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo and Darnell Washington. Jones was the second-highest-rated among the four, as the No. 11 overall prospect in the nation. Jones had seven offers out of high school, all coming from Power Five schools.

Jones ranked 26th in our Corey Crisan's NFL Draft 1-through-32.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Jones shed some weight throughout his three seasons at Georgia, measuring at 315 pounds out of high school to 311 pounds as measured at the NFL Combine. The NFL Next Gen Stats grading system gave him a score of 85, second-best among offensive tackles to participate in the event. 

At the Combine, Jones tested among the best at his position athletically. His 4.97 40-yard dash led all offensive linemen, and his 30-inch vertical and 9-foot broad jump were respectable results. He measured at 6-foot-5 with a 34 3/4-inch arm length and a 10 5/8-inch hand width, checking all the boxes for a prototypical left tackle. 

The Highlights: 

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Chris' Take: If the Steelers were going to trade up to get anyone, grabbing one of the top tackles in the class was probably the best reason. Sure, they could have grabbed Christian Gonzalez to shore up cornerback or Jaxon Smith-Njigba to add even more firepower to the receiver room after moving up three spots. But, it's difficult to hate an upgrade at tackle after Omar Khan already overhauled the interior of the offensive line, especially since the Jets would have most likely snagged Jones at 15th overall.

Jones is still a bit raw, only logging 19 starts during his career at Georgia. But, as you can see in the highlights above, Jones is insanely athletic for a man his size. That helps so much in today's NFL, whether it's protecting Kenny Pickett's blind side against speedy edge rushers or moving/pulling in the Steelers' zone-based running scheme.

Football games are still won up front, and the Steelers potentially now have a unit that can be top 10 in the NFL.

Further Coverage:

• First round: Steelers trade up to No. 14, take Georgia offensive tackle Jones
Mike's Beer Bar War Room: Jones pick makes football, financial sense
• Kovacevic: How picking Jones rights a longstanding Tomlin wrong
• Jones feels 'like I'm home,' that he can thrive in Steelers' world

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SECOND ROUND

NO. 32: JOEY PORTER JR., CB, PENN STATE

College Background: A second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten defender, Porter was limited to 10 games because of appendicitis in 2022. He rose onto the scene with a strong 2021 in which he tallied 50 total tackles and an interception.

In 34 career games, Porter accumulated 113 total tackles, two for loss, while intercepting just one pass. He defended on 20 passes in his career, and 11 came in 2022.

Porter was a consensus four-star recruit out of North Allegheny High School. He chose to play at Penn State among 16 offers, including from Pitt. He ranked 18th in Corey's NFL Draft 1-through-32.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Porter's Combine results were a bit underwhelming, ranking ninth among all cornerbacks that tested in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, recorded a 35-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. Despite not testing as high as some of the other cornerbacks, his height and 34-inch arms gives him better length than almost anyone else in the class.

Porter didn't run the 40-yard dash at Penn State's pro day, but he increased his broad jump by two inches and took part in all defensive back drills. Our Cory Giger was on the scene in State College for Penn State's pro day:

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The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: Taking Porter at 17th overall would have been a bit of a stretch. Based on what the Steelers were prioritizing heading into the draft, Porter just didn't match up to the likes of Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, Deonte Banks, or perhaps even Emmanuel Forbes. However, at 32nd overall, this is as much of a steal as it can be for Pittsburgh.

Toss the family legacy aside. Porter is a physical press cornerback that has great size (6-foot-2) and great length. He's not quite as quick as some of the other cornerbacks in this class, but he has a high football IQ and can disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. There are plenty of tools to work with as the Steelers try to mold him into a productive NFL cornerback.

The lack of ball production (only one career interception at Penn State) is a bit concerning. However, his blend of size, length and athleticism give him enough tools to become a successful NFL player. And, not being taken in the first round has given Porter some extra motivation.

"I was mad. I had an edge on me," Porter said Friday night at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "This is the perfect way to end my day right here. I just forgot about last night. Shoot, I’m ready. And, I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I’m trying to prove myself. … It adds a little more fuel to the fire."

Further Coverage:

Second round: A new Porter out to prove himself, pave his own path

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NO. 49: KEEANU BENTON, DT, WISCONSIN

College Background: Benton played for the Badgers for four years, and was named a team captain in his senior year. He was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 and earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. 

Over his four years at Wisconsin, Benton racked up 80 tackles, 19 for loss, with nine sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He started all 25 games he played in over his final two seasons.

Benton was a three-star recruit out of Janesville Craig High School in Wisconsin. Not only was Benton first-team all-state, all-region and All-Big Eight Conference and named Janesville Gazette All-Area Player of the Year as a senior, he was a two-time state qualifier in wrestling, finishing as Division 1 runner-up at 285 pounds as a junior with a 48-2 record.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Prior to the Combine or Wisconsin's pro day, Benton turned quite a few heads at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., showing off the traits that could make him a valuable pass rusher on the interior. To further elevate his draft stock, Benton then went on to run a 5.08 40-yard dash at the Combine, the eighth-fastest registered by an interior defensive lineman in Indianapolis, and tested sixth overall among all interior defenders.

The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: Benton was thought to be a third-round prospect early in the offseason, but a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl made quite an impression on a lot of people, including yours truly. More important, both Grady Brown and Denzel Martin were impressed by Benton while coaching him there.

At 6-4 and 309 pounds, Benton possesses plenty of size to play the interior in the NFL, with his best fit being anywhere between a 1- to 3-technique. He can play the true nose tackle spot in a 3-4 defense, thanks to a violent demeanor and an explosive first step, though he's not a prototypical space eater. However, with the depth the Steelers already have up front, Benton will have plenty of time to work out where he will fit in.

The Steelers run enough subpackages in which Benton can learn either behind or alongside Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi. He's a solid run defender, but he could become a true impact player if he continues to develop his pass rushing ability. The good thing is he's coming into the NFL pretty polished, so the Steelers don't have a major project on their hands. And, he's versatile enough to play multiple techniques up front.

The Steelers were able to address left tackle and cornerback prior to this pick, then added to the defensive line with a very solid, polished prospect. It's pretty difficult to complain about this selection.

Further Coverage:

Second round: Wisconsin's Benton adds beef to defensive interior

THIRD ROUND

*NO. 93: DARNELL WASHINGTON, TE, GEORGIA

* - The Steelers traded the 80th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Panthers in exchange for the 93rd and 132nd picks.

College Background: Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, Washington caught 45 passes for 774 yards and three touchdowns. As part of a stacked offense, Washington was under-utilized in the passing game, but blossomed as a blocker on the outside. 

That being said, his development as a receiver isn't anything to ignore. Nearly half of his stats were accumulated in 2022, recording 27 catches for 440 yards and one touchdown. Washington was a Second-Team All-SEC selection in 2022.

Washington was a five-star prospect out of Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas. He was selected to play for Team Pressure in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, where he committed to Georgia in front of a national ESPN2 audience.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Washington has a freakish combination of size and athleticism, which was on full display at the Combine. He stands 6-7 and weighs 264 pounds, but that's coupled with a 4.64 40-yard dash in Indianapolis and measured the longest arms (34 3/8 inches) and largest hands (11 inches) of all tight ends in his class.

The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: There is only one reason Washington fell this far in the draft. There were some medical concerns about a knee issue, but the Steelers were clearly comfortable to invest a third-round pick in the Georgia product. Washington said Friday night that the issue was just some cartilage that flared up, and that he never injured either of his knees.

Because of that, this really feels like the steal of the draft. Yes, I say that knowing that Porter fell out of the first round and into the Steelers' lap at 32nd overall. Washington has a freakish combination of size and athleticism, and gives Matt Canada a massive weapon in the offense.

This probably means Connor Heyward moves more into a fullback/tight end hybrid role. But, that is a great problem for this offense to have. In today's NFL, you can't have too many weapons. And, because the Steelers have a top 10 tight end in Pat Freiermuth, Washington doesn't have to become a huge contributor right away. 

Remember, because the Steelers are dead set on running the football successfully, they will run with more 12 personnel. And, Washington is already an accomplished blocker. If everything is good with the medicals, this is a huge win for the Steelers.

Further Coverage:

Third round: Georgia's Washington bolsters tight end if he's healthy

REACTION TO DAY 2:

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FOURTH ROUND

NO. 132: NICK HERBIG, EDGE, WISCONSIN

College Background: A four-star recruit out of Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Herbig started 31 games over three seasons with the Badgers. Over the course of his collegiate career, he racked up 137 tackles, 36 for loss, with 21 sacks and seven passes defended.

As a senior in 2022, he led the Badgers with 11.0 sacks and 15.5 TFLs while ranking sixth on the team with 47 total tackles. Herbig also led the nation averaging 1.0 sacks per game, and his 15.5 TFLs led the Big Ten and ranked 18th in the country. Herbig's performance earned him several accolades: First-team All-Big Ten (consensus), CBS Sports second-team All-American, Walter Camp second-team All-American, AFCA second-team All-American, and Associated Press third-team All-American.

Herbig is the younger brother of Steelers' guard Nate Herbig.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Herbig recorded a 4.65 40-yard dash and an impressive 25 reps on the bench press at the Combine, ranking 12th overall among linebackers that tested in Indianapolis. At Wisconsin's pro day, Herbig posted some pedestrian numbers. He posted a 34-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-6-inch broad jump, and ran a 4.35 shuttle and 7.25 three-cone drill.

The Steelers had an informal visit with Herbig at the Combine, and briefly met with him during Wisconsin's pro day.

The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: Another prospect that fell much further than most experts thought he would, Herbig gives the Steelers depth on the edge.

He's got great instincts and knows how to get around blockers, despite having short arms (31 1/4 inches) and being undersized at 240 pounds. A 4.65 40-yard dash isn't bad for an edge rusher, but doesn't quite make up for the lack of size. Nevertheless, it's difficult to argue with production. Leading the Big Ten in sacks is nothing to ignore, regardless of his size.

The Steelers are obviously set on the edge with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but Herbig gives the Steelers a potentially solid third option. Denzel Martin was clear that Herbig will start off his career playing on the edge, and Watt tags out quite a bit. So, he'll get a chance to carve out a role for himself.

Our Coverage:

Fourth round: Steelers again utilize family ties, select Herbig

SEVENTH ROUND

NO. 241: CORY TRICE JR., CB, PURDUE

College Background: An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Trice racked up 34 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups in the 2022 season. He started 24 of his 34 career games at Purdue and played through his redshirt senior season. Through his career, Trice had 105 total tackles, five interceptions (two for touchdowns) and 20 pass breakups.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Trice graded as the 25th best cornerback at the NFL Combine via NFL Next Gen Stats, though he received a fourth-round grade after the eventHe ran a 4.47 40 and jumped to a 35-inch vertical, and his 11-foot broad jump tied for sixth among Combine cornerbacks. His 17 bench press reps tied new teammate Joey Porter Jr. for third among cornerbacks at the Combine.

At his pro day, Trice ran a 6.70 three-cone and a 4.06 shuttle, each of which would have finished second among Combine CBs.

The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: Like Porter, Trice adds more size and length to the cornerback position. Like Porter, Trice brings physicality and the ability to play press coverage at the cornerback position.

Trice stands 6-3 and weighs 206 pounds, so he won't get pushed around by receivers, even at the NFL level. He has decent speed, running a 4.47 40-yard dash at the Combine, but he lacks fluidity while changing direction. He heavily relies on the ability to jam receivers at the line, and his size and length allows him to do so.

Trice ranked 77th on Pro Football Focus' big board, which seems like a steal of all steals to get him at 241st overall. However, his injury history was a significant reason for his fall in the draft, including a broken ankle in high school, a high ankle sprain and a an ACL tear in 2021. So, there is risk. However, he's got plenty of tools that this could be another really good value pick for the Steelers. 

NO. 251: SPENCER ANDERSON, G, MARYLAND

College Background: Anderson was a five-position offensive lineman at Maryland, where he allowed just two sacks in 544 pass-blocking snaps last season. Over his career, Anderson allowed four sacks and four quarterback hits in 1,274 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. He played in 12 games at right guard in 2022. In 2021, he started nine games at right tackle and four at center. In the shortened 2020 season, he started four games a left tackle and one at center. He was teammates with current Steelers running back Anthony McFarland in 2019.

NFL Combine, Pro Day: Anderson did not test at the NFL Combine, and was graded as a priority free agent. 

At his pro day, Anderson ran a 5.18 40, jumped a 30.5 vertical, and his 11-foot-3 broad jump would have led all offensive linemen at the Combine.

The Highlights:

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Chris' Take: Anderson is the only player that was taken that ranked outside Pro Football Focus' top 80 heading into the draft. But, that doesn't mean this was a bad pick.

Anderson brings versatility to the Steelers' offensive line, logging snaps at all five spots in Maryland's unit. He's got great size at 6-5 and 320 pounds, and he's known much more for his pass protection, allowing only two sacks in 544 snaps last season. His run blocking needs more refinement, but the Steelers won't need anything from Anderson right away with Khan doing lots of work to reinforce the offensive line in free agency and the draft.

This will probably be the least popular pick among the Steelers' 2023 class, but that probably speaks more to how good the other picks are. Having too much depth on the offensive line is never a bad thing, and the Steelers trying to capitalize on some upside with this pick isn't a bad thing whatsoever.

Our Coverage:

Seventh round: Steelers cap off draft with Trice, Anderson

REACTION TO DRAFT CLASS:

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