The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a number of promising drafts under general manager Omar Khan. Part of that success came from moving away from drafting strictly for need and returning to the roots that made the Steelers so successful. Pittsburgh once again began prioritizing the best player available rather than reaching to fill immediate needs.
Khan’s first draft, the 2023 NFL Draft class, has produced strong contributions from each pick, with several players performing well enough to earn second contracts. Longtime Steelers beat writer Alan Saunders of Steelers Now believes the 2023 class could become the foundation for another championship team.
Saunders of Steelers Now reviewed the 2023 draft class and offered an outlook that might closely resemble the Steelers’ championship teams of the 2000s. Kevin Colbert’s best-player-available formula helped the Steelers build the teams that won two Lombardi Trophies. Saunders believes this class could have similar potential.
“By 2023, it was clear that the Steelers didn’t just need a new approach in the draft, but they were ready for a fresh start as an organization, and ready for fresh blood to remake the core of the team. So far, that’s exactly what happened.
Khan and Weidl piled more and more draft success on top of that first class, and the 2023 group has become the foundation that the Steelers hope their next championship team is built on.” Saunders wrote.
Building through the draft is what brought championships to Pittsburgh
The Steelers have long understood that sustainable success starts with the draft. The foundation of the 1970s dynasty came from selecting and developing players who became stars. Legends like Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Joe Greene stand out from their dynasty.
In the 2000s, homegrown talent like Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and LaMarr Woodley brought two more Super Bowls to Pittsburgh.
That formula remained important throughout Pittsburgh’s history. While the organization occasionally moved away from it, Khan has emphasized identifying talent rather than forcing a fit based on need. The 2023 class shows what that approach can produce.
Now that the Steelers have locked up Keeanu Benton and hope to reach a deal with Joey Porter Jr., the class has become the first since 2018 to produce at least three players who earn second contracts from Pittsburgh. If Porter signs an extension, it would be the first Steelers draft class since 2017 to reach four.
Development of talent another crucial part to building dynasties
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Finding talent is only the beginning. The Steelers also need their coaching staff to maximize the players they draft. Mike McCarthy and his staff will have an important role in taking the 2024, 2025, and 2026 draft classes to another level.
If Pittsburgh can consistently combine strong drafting with player development, the 2023 class could become more than a successful group. It could become the foundation of the Steelers’ next championship team that Saunders believes they can be.
