Photo: USA Today Sports Images
The 2023 NFL Draft is a wrap. Omar Khan, Andy Weidl, and the Pittsburgh Steelers exit the annual event looking sharp after earning what many around the league feel is a fantastically high-mark haul in quality athlete additions. Day 3 included two players that could have an immediate impact, a depth piece on the offensive line, and signed a free agent while waiting for their time on the draft clock.
The Steelers signed Nate Herbig ahead of the draft for help along the offensive line. On Saturday, the team selected Nick Herbig (linebacker/EDGE) out of Wisconsin in the fourth round (No. 132 overall), reuniting the brothers in the Steel City.
Herbig is a smaller edge rusher at 6-2, 227 pounds that has a big motor and good speed.
The 2022 team-leader in sacks (11.0) and tackles for loss (15.5) earned First-team All-Big Ten honors as a captain for the Badgers. He showed the ability to power through tackles and move fluidly in college.
Herbig’s addition adds depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
https://twitter.com/nickherbig_/status/1652406238645452800?t=TSNnUYGBv_NM-WdHjJHUqg&s=19
The Steelers announced, in a surprise move, that they’d agreed to sign former Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan. Whether Patrick Peterson put a bug in someone’s ear about the corner who has 23 pass defenses in 71 career games will likely remain a secret.
The Steelers went on to double-dip in the draft to grab yet another piece to their defensive backfield.
A cornerback with a higher grade by many analysts than the seventh round, Cory Trice of Purdue (compared to Antrel Rolle by Chris Trapasso) is a tall, lanky defender that many have referred to as “sticky.” Trice did well at the Combine and is considered to be an excellent tackler.
That he’s listed as an asset in run support and could transition to safety makes Trice a nice chess piece for Pittsburgh.
https://twitter.com/JaredNFLDraft/status/1651232510783680514?t=CEcQdU0r0ph-osUA2hjWGQ&s=19
The Steelers secondary is shaping up nicely, at least on paper. Training camp will see position battles for starting spots.
If the Steelers can’t build that “Pickett Fence” with the addition of Spencer Anderson out of Maryland added to the mix as an interior offensive lineman, as well as players the team had already brought in, then they aren’t utilizing opportunities.
I find that to be highly unlikely that Pittsburgh won’t be able to assemble a stout O-line now, however.
I wasn’t elated that the Steelers went OT with their first-round pick only because I’d wanted to make a mock draft splash. Yeah, selfish, I know. The selection of Broderick Jones was the right call, though, and I’m excited to see how the Steelers retool the offensive trenches.
Where Anderson excels is within the interior line despite experience at tackle. His strong base, vision of gap angles, and ability to seal rushing lanes makes him an intriguing piece. He’ll need some work on lateral movement.
With the 251st pick in the 2023 #NFLDraft, we select OL Spencer Anderson. pic.twitter.com/adj92oqUNg
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 29, 2023
