Steelers Draft Digest: Joey Porter Jr. Targets 4.3 40, Broderick Jones Mock

The Steelers draft plans could be intrigued by a new Joey Porter Jr. report, and a mock draft has Pittsburgh landing a top tackle in the class.

: In Cynthia Frelund’s first NFL mock draft, she has a fascinating pick for the Steelers. That would be Georgia OT Broderick Jones, who many would consider out of their range at this point. However, Frelund thinks he can fall right into their hands, and the justification for the pick is not hard when he is there.

“My models ranked the Steelers’ O-line 26th overall last season,” Frelund said. “Jones forecasts as an impact left tackle from Day 1, especially in the pass game, where the Steelers also ranked 26th in passing yards per play (5.97).”

Regardless of the models and all, it is true that Pittsburgh can upgrade its offensive line as it stands here today. No more true than Jones, who might just be the best tackle in the class. If he is there at 17, expect the Steelers draft brass to turn in the card and sprint to the podium. This is as slam dunk as you can get.

: The Athletic dove through a number of potential sleepers in the 2023 NFL Draft, and for Pittsburgh, it includes some interesting names, including TCU OL Steve Avila and Penn State OL Juice Scruggs. Moreover, guys like Kansas State CB Julius Brents, Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace, and Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks could peak the Steelers interest in the process. This draft is deep at their positions of need, and this just proves it when some of these names are considered sleepers on the board.

: NFLPA executive DeMaurice Smith offered the opinion that it is time to get rid of the NFL Combine and solely rely on pro days for both medical information and testing information. In Smith’s opinion, the NFL Combine is intrusive and is built to decrease players’ draft value from the outset. As such, he calls for the complete dismantling of the idea in the process.

“I think the first thing you do is not assume you need a combine. … What would you want to have for our sons? Get rid of the combine. Have pro days,” Smith said.

: Joey Porter Jr. has had some questions about his speed brought up throughout the process, but he is targeting an elite time at the NFL Combine. He wants to hit the 4.3s, which would cause his stock to absolutely soar if that comes to fruition. Training with Oliver Davis II, who has trained Jaycee Horn and A.J. Terrell, Porter Jr. sees himself possibly shooting up draft boards if that only question gets answered. Part of the cluster for CB1, Porter could solidify himself at the top.

: PFF did a compilation of players they view as the biggest risers from the Senior Bowl and Shrine Game. They view a couple of key Steelers targets as risers. Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton, Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz, Northwestern DT Ade Adebawore, and West Virginia DL Dante Stills stand out as a few key players on that list.

They don’t list any linebackers there, and I think that is a largely indictment on the class as a whole. But there is plenty of depth at other positions of need the Steelers have, but the linebacker spot is one that is a fascinating debate on how the Steelers will address it.