NFL Draft Prospects Steelers Must Target After 2023 Shrine, Senior Bowls

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell short of the playoffs in 2022, but it's hard to not look at their campaign and see positives. They posted yet another winning season under head coach Mike Tomlin and appeared to find their next franchise quarterback in first-round rookie Kenny Pickett.

Heading into the 2023 offseason, Pittsburgh will be looking to get back in the playoff conversation. It will need to continue improving its 23rd-ranked offense while re-signing or replacing impending free agents like Larry Ogunjobi, Robert Spillane, Devin Bush and Cameron Sutton.

With less than $1 million in projected cap space, doing it all through free agency alone is unlikely. Expect the 2023 NFL draft to be a very important one for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers got an early look at some of this year's draft prospects last week at the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl. While these exhibition contests are largely light on early-round talent, a few gems typically emerge.

Here, we'll examine three standouts from these two all-star games that Pittsburgh should be tracking ahead of the draft.

Connor Galvin, OT, Baylor

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Baylor Bears linebacker Connor Galvin (76) lines up for a play during the Sugar Bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Baylor Bears on January 01, 2020, at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Steelers should be looking to improve their offensive-line depth before the 2023 season. The Pittsburgh line allowed 38 sacks in the regular season and paved the way for one of the more underwhelming rushing attacks in the NFL.

Despite having a quality starter in running back Najee Harris, the Steelers ranked 25th in yards per carry (4.1) as a team.

While the East-West Shrine Bowl is often overshadowed by the Senior Bowl, the lead-up to Thursday's game shouldn't be ignored. Baylor offensive tackle Connor Galvin stood out in practices and should gain some momentum heading into the combine.

"He finished the week as the highest-graded tackle in attendance and even if it may not be enough to sneak him into Day 2, it secured him a spot on early Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft," Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus wrote.

It won't be a surprise if the Steelers chase an elite O-line prospect like Northwestern's Peter Skoronski—the 11th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's end-of-season draft rankings—on opening night. However, Galvin is an experienced and talented tackle who should be firmly on Pittsburgh's radar on Day 2.

Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

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MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 04: National linebacker Daiyan Henley of Washington State (1) during the Reese's Senior Bowl on February 4, 2023 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With both Spillane and Bush slated to hit the free-agent market, Pittsburgh will likely be in the market for a linebacker this spring. If it can find a linebacker who can hold up in coverage, all the better.

Pittsburgh's defense ranked a respectable 10th in points allowed but just 26th in yards per pass attempt (7.0) surrendered. Washington State's Daiyan Henley could be just the linebacker for Pittsburgh to target.

Henley was a force against the run this past season, logging 106 tackles, 54 solo stops and 12 tackles for loss. However, Senior Bowl practices gave him a chance to show off his skills against the pass.

"The big test for Henley was how he would hold up in coverage against all-star competition," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah wrote. "Well, he passed that test with flying colors. He's instinctive and he can run."

Henley, who had a fumble recovery in the Senior Bowl game, has the chance to be a future NFL star, and he'd be a great addition to Pittsburgh's second-level defense. Expect him to be another solid Day-2 prospect.

Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

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MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 10: Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Julius Brents (23) in the third quarter of a college football game between the Missouri Tigers and Kansas State Wildcats on September 10, 2022 at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan, KS. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Even if the Steelers retain Sutton, they should look to upgrade their secondary this offseason. While Pittsburgh logged a league-high 20 interceptions, it also ranked 28th in passing touchdowns allowed with 29.

The Steelers should strive for a little less boom-or-bust play on the back end. A more consistent secondary would better complement a young, developing offense that is still finding its way.

This is why a top cornerback prospect like Utah's Clark Phillips III—the 20th-ranked prospect on the B/R board—would make plenty of sense for the Steelers on opening night. Later in the draft, though, a player like Kansas State's Julius Brents would be logical.

"The corner that excited me the most this week was Brents. At 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, he's loose and fluid for a big player at the position," Jeremiah wrote.

Brents, who logged 45 tackles and four interceptions this past season, possesses a rare combination of athleticism and size. He'd be a tremendous addition for the Steelers in an AFC North that features big, physical receivers like Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Donovan-Peoples Jones.

Don't be surprised if Brents becomes a draft riser over the next couple of months.

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*Salary cap information via Spotrac.