With all that has happened in the early phases of free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers are more focused on the NFL Draft—which is still six weeks away.
Russell Wilson, a quarterback, Donte Jackson, a cornerback, Patrick Queen, the best inside linebacker available, and, of course, a punter to take Pressley Harvin III’s position are the new additions for the Steelers this week.
They even reached a multiyear agreement on Wednesday to keep All-Pro special teams player Miles Killebrew and long snapper Christian Kuntz.
However, the Steelers lost Diontae Johnson, their most seasoned and longest-tenured wide receiver, and they still haven’t found a replacement for Mike Webster at center.
All of which makes sense going into next month’s NFL Draft. Right tackle and the pivot in particular are still areas of the offensive line that may need addressing on the first day when the Steelers have the No. 20 overall choice.
For all the talk in January about the Steelers selecting a quarterback, several national draft gurus said they would never use that pick. Wilson’s signing, which will cost the Steelers the NFL veteran minimum of $1.21 million for one year, guarantees that they won’t have to sign a backup quarterback until Day 3.
The Steelers were linked to a few of the second-tier draft-eligible cornerbacks, including Quinyan Mitchell of Toledo. The Steelers won’t need to go far ahead to locate a potential to complement second-year corner Joey Porter Jr. as they have brought Jackson on board to play out the remaining year of his contract. They will also have a year to assess Corey Trice’s ability to fill a role while he heals from the ACL injury that ended his rookie campaign.
Inside linebacker is no longer a critical need because Queen and Elandon Roberts combine for powerful pressure. As he continues to recuperate from the horrific leg injury that ended his season, Cole Holcomb is the wild card. Holcomb is no longer necessary for the Steelers to be prepared for the season opener.
The center still tops the list. The position continues to be the biggest hole on the roster with Lloyd Cushberry, Tyler Biadasz, Andre James, Aaron Brewer, and Mitch Morse (who visited the Steelers last week following his release from Buffalo) all off the market.
It saves those teams from having to select a center in the first round when those free agents sign elsewhere. This may mean that Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, the top center prospect, is still available at selection No. 20. Zach Frazier of West Virginia is another player the Steelers might target because, according to some draft experts, he is a more rugged prospect who would fit well with the team’s offensive schemes.
The Steelers also need to address wide receiver on the first or second day of the draft. Wide receiver was a priority while Johnson was still on the team. With three seasons under his belt, George Pickens is the team’s most seasoned wide receiver. Calvin Austin participated in just one season. The roster lacks a strong third option.
The Steelers will still need to acquire a pass catcher in what is thought to be a good draft class even if they sign a receiver to replace Johnson in free agency. Twelve receivers are ranked in Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 overall prospects by NFL Network draft analyst. That is encouraging for the Steelers, who have the No. 51 overall second-round pick.
One position that might still be targeted early is tackle. In order to save cap space, Chuks Okorafor was dismissed, while Dan Moore Jr., a left tackle, is about to enter his final season of a rookie deal. The Steelers might target a right tackle like Amarius Mims, his old Georgia teammate, in the first round if general manager Omar Khan fulfills his declared goal of moving 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones back to the left side.
In six weeks, the Steelers’ priorities might change due to other free-agent signings. Safety, slot corner, and defensive tackle/end are still areas of uncertainty. However, the organization’s current actions have given rise to a more limited framework for what must be included in the draft.
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