Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft Odds: Cornerback Help Needed

By Adam Thompson Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EDT

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The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a losing season since taking over as head coach in 2007. The last two years, however, it’s been close, going 9-7-1 in 2021 and 9-8 last year (and 8-8 in 2019). 

Offense has been the issue in the recent lean years, ranking in the bottom 10 in scoring in each of the past four seasons. With the defense just one additional piece or two away from finding its old form, the offense must keep up if the Steelers are to continue their perennially competitive ways. 

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on who gets selected 17th by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 1st Round Pick Odds (No. 17)

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

Who Will The Steelers Take In 2023 NFL Draft?

Along with corner, offensive tackle is a spot that could use a big improvement as the team aims to protect second-year QB Kenny Pickett better and open lanes for RB Najee Harris. Pittsburgh ranked 25th in yards per rush attempt and Steelers QBs had an average of 2.4 seconds of pocket time, among the league’s lowest. 

While the interior line is a spot to improve, tackle is the top priority. Broderick Jones of Georgia has all the tangibles to be a successful left tackle sooner than later. He anchored the left side for the Bulldogs in two national championship seasons.  Darnell Wright of Tennessee is a 6-foot-5, 330-pound tackle who has the power to play inside if needed as well. 

For a team that struggled to protect Pickett, Jones and Wright might be tough to pass up if either are still available at No. 17. 

Joey Porter Jr. Odds To Be Drafted By Steelers

Despite the offensive woes, cornerback might be the top need at the draft, and the Steelers could have their pick of the litter at the position. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez is expected to go Top 10, but every other CB could be available at No. 17. 

Joey Porter Jr. of Penn State and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois were both stars on their Big Ten teams, Porter the more physical of the two, Witherspoon the faster. Porter also gets the sentimental nod, being the son of former Steelers star LB Joey Porter. Last year the team used its first-rounder on another local boy done good in Pickett. He’s the QB1 for Pittsburgh in 2023. 

Deonte Banks of Maryland has climbed the charts and is also in play at No. 17. 

Defensive line is right below those needs for the Steelers, and they wouldn’t have to look far for Calijah Kancey, who played his college ball at Heinz Field for Pittsburgh. Considered undersized at 280-pounds, Kancey was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American, and ranked No. 1 in Athleticism Score at the NFL Combine. 

The Field leads the way due to the uncertainty of the availability of Pittsburgh's top targets. It includes any number of potentially available tackles and corners, of which there are many. CB Cam Smith of South Carolina is in the mix, and tackles Peter Skoronski of Northwestern and Paris Johnson Jr. of Ohio State would be strongly considered if still on the board this late. 

Complete List of Steelers 2023 Draft Picks

• Round 1 (Pick 17)
• Round 2 (Pick 32, from CHI)
• Round 2 (Pick 49)
• Round 3 (Pick 80)
• Round 4 (Pick 120)
• Round 7 (Pick 241, from DEN)
• Round 7 (Pick 251, from LAR)

About the Author

Adam Thompson

More About Adam

Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.