Ranking every Steelers position by need in 2023 offseason

Steelers position of need #6: NT

Need level: No great option at an under-utilized position

Nose tackle is a really hard position to grade on this needs list. On one hand, this team hasn’t had a dependable player here since Javon Hargrave left the team, but on the other hand, this is one of the lesser-used positions on the field. The Steelers employ a traditional nose tackle on roughly a third of their defensive snaps.

The team is set to have Montravius Adams back in the second year of his deal, and he is a pretty below-average option there. That said, for a player that is only going to see 300-400 snaps a season, you could arguably do worse. Realistically though the team needs to find an upgrade here sooner than later for a struggling run defense.

Personally, I would target a capable nose tackle somewhere on day two or three of the draft, preferably in the third or even fourth round. They can compete with Adams and ideally replace him early on. We could target a free agent, but that will get pricey for, again, a player that is only on the field a handful of snaps. The team is certainly lacking here, but it isn’t a huge need given the lack of usage here.