Steelers will have opportunity to stun NFL world with No. 17 pick in draft

It's pretty clear up to this point that the Pittsburgh Steelers are paying attention to building up the trenches on both sides of the ball while also focusing on the cornerback and linebacker rooms. After being extremely active in free agency, it's quite possible the organization continues those positional trends in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The team will have several solid options in the first round and typically don't do anything that surprises too many people, but there's a scenario that could leave fans with their jaws on the floor if general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin go a completely different direction.

One position that hasn't really been linked to Pittsburgh because of the current makeup of the roster is tight end. Pat Freiermuth is clearly the guy, and will be for some time. Connor Heyward stepped up later in the year in 2022 and is likely to have more involvement in 2023, but he may not be the perfect guy to be second on the depth chart due to his contributions on special teams and potential fullback role in his second year.

Zach Gentry reportedly signed a one-year deal to return, but that's a temporary fix and he's not a threat in the receiving game. The name of the game in the NFL of late seems to be surrounding young, promising quarterbacks with a plethora of talent. It's not unrealistic to imagine Pittsburgh making a surprising pick at No. 17 to play alongside Freiermuth.

There are three tight ends that have strong chances of being taken in the first round of the draft. Michael Mayer out of the University of Notre Dame, Dalton Kincaid from the University of Utah, and University of Georgia playmaker Darnell Washington are all looking to cash in relatively early. 

Regardless of who is calling the plays, an offense with an emerging Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Freiermuth and another potential weapon at the tight end position could be absolutely lethal. That's not even including speedster Calvin Austin III, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury. 

The top three tight end prospects have been mocked all over the place. It is anyone's guess as to when they will be selected and if the Steelers' behind-the-scenes plans are to draft a tight end at some point, the front office could wait and hope one of these three ends up falling into their lap at No. 32.

Overall, it's unlikely given the team's needs in other areas and Heyward's solid rookie season, but if he is listed as a fullback, there are technically only two true tight ends on the roster: Freiermuth and Gentry. The typical 'Steeler way' is to take the best prospect available when a draft selection comes up. What if one, or all, of the top three tight ends are waiting at No. 17?

Let's be clear, this wouldn't be a replacement for Freiermuth. He has cemented himself as the top guy for the Steelers and a rather shocking selection of a tight end is not going to change that. The pairing would, however, have the ability to take Pittsburgh's offense to the next level for several years. The idea of having every eligible receiver on the field as a legitimate threat is certainly very attractive.