A critical season awaits the Steelers 2023 NFL Draft class

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting their ducks in a row during the time between minicamp and training camp, and when you consider the pressure being placed on players it can be intense. But not all pressure on players is created equal. Players entering a contract year are certainly preparing for a big season, rookies are just trying to make the team, and then there are those players who are about to enter a critical season.

The Steelers 2023 NFL Draft class, the first of the Omar Khan era, is preparing for a make-or-break style season with the organization having to make some decisions in the very near future. On my Monday “Let’s Ride” podcast I was recording with Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and asked for a storyline he was following heading into training camp.

His answer? How the 2023 draft class performs.

It caused me to wonder what each player has in front of them heading into the 2025 season. I thought it was worth some further evaluation, so let’s get to it…

Round 1: Broderick Jones

Jones is being put on the left side of the offensive line for the long term for the first time since he was drafted. Will it pan out? The Steelers will have to make a call on his 5th year option next offseason, and if Jones wants to break the trend of 1st Round picks getting their 5th year options declined, he’ll have to play well. Can he provide the same value as Dan Moore Jr.? He’s getting a chance, and now comes whether he can seize that opportunity or not.

Round 2: Joey Porter Jr.

The 1st pick in the 2nd Round of 2023 will want to be paid as a pseudo 1st Round pick, and the Steelers won’t have the 5th year option to exercise. What will the team do with “JPJ”? A lot will come down to whether he can settle into a CB1 role who can function properly with the rules in place. Can he adjust to how NFL officials call the game, or will he just be known for his overly physical play? Porter will have a lot to prove this season.

Round 2: Keeanu Benton

Karl Dunbar, the Steelers defensive line coach, spoke about Benton needs to “finish plays” this season. Benton has all the potential in the world, but he absolutely needs to have a big step-up in Year 3. Benton, along with Derrick Harmon, are players you hope the team builds around in the trenches. Benton can solidify his role in those trenches in 2025 to make the Steelers’ decision an easy one.

Round 3: Darnell Washington

“Mount Washington” is a player who seems to have been under utilized since he was drafted. The team loves to deploy him as a blocker, but everyone has seen him as a mismatch nightmare in the passing game as well. Washington has slimmed down heading into training camp, but will the coaches give him a chance to prove he is more than just an extra tackle? Hopefully that changes in 2025.

Round 4: Nick Herbig

Herbig has been a great situational pass rusher in his first two seasons with the team, but at the same time he is someone who has yet to be able to stay healthy. Last season he missed a big chunk of the season with a hamstring injury, and the hope is he isn’t T.J. Watt’s replacement, but can be a big part of the pass rush, along with rookie Jack Sawyer, moving forward. Staying healthy is a big step for Herbig in 2025.

Round 7: Cory Trice Jr.

Speaking of health, you could copy all of that for Cory Trice. Trice spent time on Injured Reserve (IR) last year before he got his first real reps at the NFL level. Obviously, this is after he tore up his knee in training camp his rookie season. Will Trice prove to be a valuable asset, in a depth perspective, or is he just another 7th Round pick who will move on to another team when his contract expires?

Round 7: Spencer Anderson

Anderson is highly viewed by the coaching staff for his football intelligence and his position flexibility. Can he prove that versatility is the depth along the offensive line the team didn’t acquire this offseason? Anderson reminds me of a Kelvin Beachum or Chris Hubbard. Both late round picks who turned out to be serviceable in their own way. Anderson will likely have a chance to do so this season, just with the nature of the NFL, but the Steelers have shown they are willing to give second contracts to back-up type players if they are worthy of such a contract.

This will be a big season for the Steelers 2023 draft class, and one which will be must-watch for these aforementioned individuals.

This was a topic of discussion on the Monday “Let’s Ride” podcast where the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Chris Carter joined me to talk about all that has gone down during the Steelers offseason workouts. You can hear that podcast below: