In traditional Patriots fashion, the team is moving back. The Steelers have acquired the No. 14 pick from New England. The Patriots will be acquiring No. 17 and No. 120, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).
The Steelers are using their new selection on Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. After Mike Tomlin said he was comfortable with his two-year starting tackle tandem — Dan Moore–Chukwuma Okorafor — the Steelers trading up for Jones points to a change at one of these positions.
This marks just the third Steelers first-round trade-up in the past 20 drafts. The team had previously moved up for Santonio Holmes and Devin Bush in that span, but a new GM (Omar Khan) is running the show now. The longtime Kevin Colbert lieutenant decided to pull the trigger and help protect 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett.
A report earlier this week connected the Steelers to a potential O-line trade-up, and unlike pre-draft smokescreens perpetrated by the Texans and Colts, Pittsburgh followed through on the effort. Jones, who met with the Steelers on a pre-draft visit, has just one full season as a starter under his belt. He succeeded Chargers 2022 draftee Jamaree Salyer as the Bulldogs’ left tackle and ended up going much higher in the draft; Salyer went to Los Angeles in Round 6 last year.
The Steelers have used Moore, a 2021 third-round pick, as their left tackle over the past two seasons. Pro Football Focus rated neither Moore nor Okorafor as a top-50 tackle last season. Given the investment the Steelers made in Pickett, it is understandable Khan and Co. made this effort to secure a potentially significant upgrade. This marks the first Steelers first-round O-lineman investment since All-Pro guard David DeCastro in 2012 and the first time the franchise has chosen a first-round tackle since 1996.
I actually agree with this trade down for once. Still plenty of good choices available in 3 picks.
Praying Joey Porter jr is there at 32
I don’t think he’ll get past the Pats at 17 now.
I was wrong. Pats took a diff CB with 17.
Now…hopefully we don’t screw it up and take him tomorrow.
Have to applaud the pick. Now if they get a stud for the D-line, they’re in business
Hoping at least one of Breesee/Smith or Porter/Banks somehow makes it to 32
GB should have taken him. But why would you want to protect your first year starter that you got rid of Rodgers in favor of?
Maybe between picks 80 and 241 we can sign some free agents or restructure a couple of contracts.
If they take anyone but Porter’s kid at 32, I’ll be stupified.
Tomlin used to go to his high school games with Joey when he was on the staff and he fits their needs.
Yeah, you’re parroting a suddenly much repeated story here when in fact, the two kids played together at North Catholic during their sophomore years before going separate ways. A lot of dad drama necessitated those transfers
I hope the Steelers take JPJ too—I think he’s a better fit than Branch—but I do like Keion White, the D-lineman from Georgia Tech, too and hope one of tonight’s picks is Tuli Tuipulotu of USC
Coming away with Jones and Porter with the first two picks would be fantastic. I would have loved it if Bresse fell to 32 but oh well. Some interesting DLs should still be available in the 3rd
Interesting to hear draft gurus talking about Bresse last eve, making him sound like a bit of a work in progress after his injury. Guess we’ll see
Agree with you, though. Porter is an instant upgrade (they had concerns about him, too) and you’d think they’d continue to focus on defense
What kind of offers are we going to get for #32…?
To be honest, we could use both Porter and Branch — I kind of like Branch more (slot CB, though they often label him as a S).
Then again, Keion White shouldn’t be there either — but it makes no sense to go White + Tuipolotu.
I’m also a proponent of drafting either Schmitz or Tippman (C) — missing out on Creed Humphrey 2 years ago and Linderbaum last year still bothers me.
Hey Omar
Pick #32 to LV for #38, #109, #220
Pick #49 to Sea for #52, and #151 and #237
Pick #80 to LAC for #85, #156, and #239
Trade Dan Moore to DET for pick #183
We still have picks #241 and #251