How free agent signings and roster moves will affect Steelers draft

What it all means for Steelers draft

First, let’s do a tally

Free Agents Lost: WR, Juju Smith-Schuster, WR James Washington, Returner/WR, Ray-Ray McCloud, QB, Josh Dobbs, DE Taco Carlton, Punter, Corliss Waitman

Steelers Free Agents Currently Unsigned: CB Joe Haden, SS Terrell Edmunds, TE Eric Ebron, OG, Trai Turner, OL, B.J. Finney.

Free Agent Signed: QB, Mitchell Trubisky, C/OG, James Daniels, OG/C, Mason Cole, ILB Myles Jack, CB Levi Wallace, Returner/WR/ST, Gunner Olszewski, OLB/ILB/ST, Genard Avery

Free Agents Re-signed: WR, Anthony Miller, TE, Jace Sternberger, C/OG, J.C. Hassenauer, CB, Ahkello Witherspoon, DL, Montravius Adams, Safety, ILB Robert Spillane, Karl Joseph, OLB/DE, Derrek Tuzka,

Cut: OT, Zach Banner, ILB, Joe Shobert.

The Steelers biggest need coming into free agency was fixing their league-worst offensive line. The signings of center, James Daniels and guard Mason Cole help but more needs to be done. What’s worrying is their faith in right tackle, Chuks Okorafor and left tackle, Dan Moore.

Okorafor has been with the Steelers for four years with two years starting. In that time he’s shown little to no improvement. He currently has a D- grade of 63.4 on Pro Football Focus. While he only gave up 2 sacks he had 11 penalties. Why the Steelers think his performance is worth a three-year $29,250,000 contract is beyond me.

The way over-hyped Dan Moore is even worse. I’ve rewatched the entire season just looking at the O-Line (Yes, I have no life). Moore is a disaster. He is not strong enough, quick enough, or fast enough to be a starting NFL offensive lineman. He gave up 7 sacks and had 5 penalties ending up with an F grade from PFF of 57.8. Moore is clearly one of Tomlin’s pets so who knows how long it will be before Coach realizes Moore is a dead end.

Actually, none of the 2021 O-Line starters staked a claim to their jobs. I went into detail on how terrible the Steelers O-Line is in another post. You can read that one, here. The offensive line is still the Steelers greatest need going into the 2022 Draft.

The loss of three wide receivers has created an early-round need. If Terrell Edmunds doesn’t return there will be a need at safety. The potential loss of Joe Haden is offset by the signing of Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace. Robert Spillane and the signing of Myles Jack and Genard Avery eliminate the need for an inside linebacker.

Bottom line: After this point in free agency the Steelers biggest needs are offensive line, wide receiver, and strong safety, Yes, quarterback may be a need but this is not the draft to waste a 1st Round pick on one. If there was no other way to avoid it I’d prefer taking a Day Two chance on Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, or Carson Strong or a Day Three chance on Jack Coan or Cole Kelley. I’ve looked long and hard at all the 2022 QB prospects and I think they’re all dead ends as starters.

In the mid to later rounds, there’s a need for running back, cornerback, and the defensive line. The Steelers really need a good backup running back. Otherwise, Najee Harris is going to be spent by the time his rookie contract is over.

Cam Sutton and Arthur Maulet could use competition as slot defenders so the Steelers should look to add a nickelback. The defensive line should be shored up as an insurance policy should Tuitt or Alualu be unable to return. They shouldn’t forget to add an undrafted free agent punter.

Congratulations and best of luck to Kevin Colbert on his retirement. He’s been one of the best in the business and is a shoo-in to make it into the Hall of Fame as a contributor. He will be hard to replace.

Well, that’s it. I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted. Which free-agent loss do you think is the worst? Which signing is the best? What players that were added or re-signed are you looking forward to seeing in 2022? Let us know in the comments, below!

Go Stillers!