Steelers 2023 Outlook: Next Season's Schedule, Draft Projections

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers' 28-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns wasn't enough to get them into the playoffs, but several national sports writers are optimistic about the team's future. Here's what they said, along with a look ahead as to what's next for the Steelers.

• Nick Shook, NFL.Com: "Quarterback Kenny Pickett didn't see a full season's workload in 2022, and wide receiver George Pickens didn't become a major part of the offensive game plan until the first month of the season was just about finished, but both will be major parts of the Steelers' plans moving forward. We should expect the Pickett-Pickens duo to become a household pairing in the years ahead, which can stand as a silver lining for the Steelers narrowly missing the playoffs in 2022."

• John Plyum, Sports Illustrated: "Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a losing season in his 16 years at the helm after Pittsburgh defeated the Browns to improve to 9–8. The Steelers won six of their seven and seven of their past nine games. Pittsburgh has a solid foundation moving forward. Tomlin made the move to play quarterback Kenny Pickett and he delivered four consecutive wins down the stretch, including two on the last series of the game. Pittsburgh also has Najee Harris and George Pickens on offense, along with a very talented tight end in Pat Freiermuth. Defensively, the Steelers got back former defensive player of the Year T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith had a big season stepping in after Watt was injured. There’s no doubt the future looks bright in Pittsburgh as long as Tomlin as the head coach."

The 2023 Schedule

Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers.

Road: Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Las Vegas Raiders.

The 2023 Draft

The Steelers have the 17th pick in the first round, but essentially have two first-round picks as a result of the Chase Claypool trade to the Chicago Bears this season. The Steelers received a second-round pick for the wide receiver; but the Bears will have the first-round pick in the first and second rounds based on their atrocious record. Add in the Miami Dolphins having to forfeit their first-round choice based on tampering allegations, the Steelers grabbing the bears' second-round pick essentially gives them another first-rounder.

Potential first-round picks:

CBS Sports: Devon Witherspoon, cornerback, Illinois.

PFF: Cam Smith, cornerback, South Carolina.

Pro Football Network: Peter Skoronski, offensive tackle, Northwestern.