Now that the NFL draft has come and gone, it’s time to take a closer look at the Steelers roster.  Pittsburgh made seven selections this past weekend.  Inevitably a draft puts pressure on players clinging to their roles on the team.  Omar Khan did a nice job filling key roles on this roster, making borderline starters potentially expendable. Top five positions the Steelers must address in the draft

Here is a list of five Steelers players who’s jobs are in jeopardy now that the draft is over:

1. Dan Moore Jr:

When a team trades up in the first round for a player at your position, you know you’re in trouble.  It would have to be considered a major upset if Broderick Jones isn’t this team’s starting left tackle on day one.  Dan Moore Jr certainly has an uphill battle to keep his starting spot on this team.  There is a possibility the team could let him compete at right tackle with only one year left on Chuks Okorafor’s contract.  It is more likely however that Moore becomes the swing tackle on this team in 2023.

 

2. Levi Wallace:

Drafting Joey Porter Jr with the first pick in the second round put a giant bullseye on Levi Wallace.  Add that to the addition of Patrick Peterson, and he can almost assuredly kiss his starting role on this team goodbye.  It would take a pretty disappointing off-season by Porter to keep Wallace in the running as a starting corner on this team.

3.  Montravius Adams:

Things weren’t looking all that good for Montravius Adams even before the draft.  The Steelers had already signed the likes of Armon Watts and Breiden Fehoko, making this team’s defensive line room quite crowded.  Now with the addition of third round pick Keeanu Benton, Adams spot on the roster may very well be in jeopardy.  He will need a strong training camp, and pre-season to make the final 53 with this team.

4.  Zach Gentry:

The Steelers tight end position got a little crowded after the selection of Darnell Washington.  This team generally keeps only three tight ends on their 53 man roster.  With Freiermuth and Washington locks, it may come down to a battle between Zach Gentry and Conner Heyward for that third spot.  Heyward’s flexibility combined with Gentry’s overall poor 2022 put him on the outside looking in.  If we were Zach Gentry, we’d be planning on having the training camp of our lives this summer.

5.  Akhello Witherspoon:

Akhello Witherspoon’s hold on a starting job with this team died around halfway through last season.  With the addition of two corners in the draft, and one through free agency, he must now worry about just making the team.  There is talent here but his inconsistency, and inability to stay healthy have really hindered Witherspoon.  There is a world where he can beat out the likes of James Pierre or Cory Trice.  That would require Akhello Witherspoon to stay healthy, and return to his late 2021 form. If not, he could be one of the current Steelers players on the outside looking in come cut down day.

 

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