Todd McShay evaluates how the Steelers should build around Kenny Pickett in the NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett No. 20 overall with their first round draft pick in last year’s NFL Draft. This year the Steelers hold the No. 17 overall pick, but will they use it to give their new QB1 some help? ESPN Draft expert Todd McShay was asked that very question on the recent 2023 NFL Draft media call.
“I personally with Kenny Pickett, and he does have mobility but he’s not like a runner, he’s not in an elite tier, he’s a little bit more mobile than people give him credit for, but I think if you’re going to give him a chance to succeed you gotta protect him well,” McShay said. “And I think that’s why we’ve heard some rumors about Pittsburgh maybe trying to move up.”
McShay believes protecting Pickett is the way to go, breaking down the various options at the offensive tackle position in the first round of this year’s draft.
This year’s class there’s four tackles, Peter Skoronski, Broderick Jones, whose probably the most athletically gifted out of Georgia but only has the 16 starts. Then you’ve got Paris Johnson who’s still developing, but he has a great wingspan, length, he’s mobile, he’s a good player that I think is going to be reliable and a solid starter in the league,” McShay said. “And then Darnell Wright from Tennessee who’s a dominant right tackle, 332 pounds, right around that range and moves well, surprisingly well for a big guy.”
Some of the size and talent at the offensive tackle spot in the 2023 NFL Draft class is undeniable, but it’s not a secret. Protecting the quarterback has become more valuable than ever in today’s game, and the Steelers aren’t the only team that could be looking to bolster their offensive line unit.
“The question is when you look at, how far down on that offensive tackle run are you willing to go and will all four be off the board?” McShay asked. “When you look at some of these teams, I’ve got Skoronski could go as early as let’s say nine to Chicago. The Eagles are capable of taking an offensive lineman or defensive lineman, probably more likely on the defensive side at 10. But then the Jets I would say is close to a lock that they’re gonna take one of the offensive tackles, the Patriots are in the market for a tackle at 14. Washington could, they’ve addressed it a little bit in free agency, and then any team that could try to move up ahead of them.”
It’s likely that when one of this year’s top offensive tackles gets drafted it will be the first domino in a run of them getting selected. Will one fall to the Steelers? Will they have to trade up to get one? Or will they draft another position? Only time will tell, but McShay made it clear which direction he believes Pittsburgh should go.
“So I think if you’re hell bent on taking an offensive tackle, you kind of wait it out and see where the run starts and then maybe you’ve got to move up a few spots to get your guy. I don’t know what they’re list looks like in terms of their priorities with those four guys, but after those four in my opinion there’s a pretty significant drop off. Then you’re talking about late first, second round guys,” McShay said. “So to me I’d go offensive tackle if you’re in the right spot, if not, I could see cornerback, I can see inside linebacker, I can see defensive line. As you said, some aging guys that you’re trying to look towards the future with, but to me offensive tackle would be the biggest priority.”