Let's take the guard rails off on this mock offseason. Pittsburgh is now in my hands. We will go through cap casualties to the re-signing phase, then free agency and the draft. With plenty of cap space to work with, the Steelers have every opportunity to stay busy over the next couple of months. They think they are close to ending the postseason losing streak, but we will see if they are truthful.
As proven in this simulation, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have numerous avenues to a successful offseason. They can add talent through trade, free agency, or the draft. They have little excuses to build a quality team to support their quarterback. They will only fool themselves if they make little alterations to a dreadful roster from the last campaign.
Let's hope they take a note out of this mock offseason for future success.
Pittsburgh Steelers final mock offseason before free agency begins
cap casualty (53): Larry Ogunjobi (+$7 million), Cole Holcomb (+$6 million), Cordarrelle Patterson (+$2.8 million), Dean Lowry (+$2.5 million)
It is somewhat surprising Larry Ogunjobi is still on the payroll. Perhaps they are waiting to see if they can replace him before cutting bait. Cole Holcomb would be a great story if he could return to form, but his recovery from injury is too much of a gamble. Cordarrelle Patterson never lived up to his billing and makes no sense to keep. Dean Lowry lost snaps to Isaiahh Loudermilk down the stretch, so he gets cut.
Re-sign (71.5): Justin Fileds (2-years $17 million), Elandon Roberts (2-years $8 million), MyCole Pruitt (1-year $1.2 million), Jaylen Warren (2-year $11 million), Nate Herbig (1-year $1.2 million), Kyle Allen (1-year, $1.2 million)
Pittsburgh finally re-signs Justin Fields as their starting quarterback. He comes back after bypassing other options for a stable environment with Tomlin. Jaylen Warren also inks a healthy extension with the club. MyCole Pruitt, Kyle Allen, and Nate Herbig are other veteran pieces retained on offense.
Elandon Roberts returns as a role player on defense.
Steelers finally pull off a trade for star receiver Brandon Aiyuk
Khan finally solves his conundrum from last offseason and lands Brandon Aiyuk in a trade. San Francisco just traded away Deebo Samuel, but they might listen to offers for Aiyuk. Their star receiver is still recovering from a knee injury last year. Aiyuk should be ready towards the start of the upcoming season. The Steelers general manager redeems himself.
Aiyuk joining the Steelers comes with a slight gamble. Hopefully, the massive threat on offense will return to form once he fully heals from his injury. If not, Pittsburgh could always release him next offseason and move on. It's a good bet for the Steelers, especially since the crop of prospects at the receiver position coming out of the draft is weak.
Pittsburgh offloads their cap space into free agency spending spree
Offense: Justin Watson (1-year $1.7 million), James Hudson III (1-year, $1.2 million), Olamide Zaccheaus (1-year, $2 million)
Starting free agency with the offense, Pittsburgh still has holes to fill after landing Aiyuk in a blockbuster deal. Tomlin needs some depth options on offense to help push guys they currently have under contract. They sign Justin Watson. He is a local Pittsburgh product and someone who can provide depth at receiver and play special teams.
Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu are unproven starting tackles, so the Steelers need some guys who could push them. James Hudson III isn't an ideal choice, but he has started in the NFL and remains young. Tomlin showed pre-draft interest in Hudson. Olamide Zaccheaus has a connection with Arthur Smith, and he can return punts.
Defense: Asante Samuel Jr. (4-years, $46.8 million), Damar Hamlin (1-year $2 million), Joseph Ossai (1-year $2.3 million), Nate Hobbs (2-years, $2.1 million), Derrick Nnadi (1-year, $2 million)
Fans might not love adding more spending money to their defense, but it is necessary here. They need an impact player at the cornerback position, and Asante Samuel Jr. makes too much sense. He had tons of pre-draft interest from the Steelers and comes aboard. Damar Hamlin joins Pittsburgh as a local guy who can start if needed but is better off as a depth piece.
Nate Hobbs is flying under the radar in free agency and has a connection to the Steelers. He will become their starting slot cornerback this season. Joseph Ossai will slide into the fourth outside linebacker role, but Ossai will have an increased role. Derrick Nnadi rounds out this group to provide a starting option along the trenches but is better as a rotational player.
READ MORE: Steelers 7-round mock draft has Pittsburgh sticking to their standards
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock draft:
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Night one of the NFL draft rolls around, and Pittsburgh selects Kenneth Grant. He can start his career at nose tackle if things develop slowly. Keeanu Benton can play at their traditional 3-4 defensive end position. They also signed Nnadi as insurance. Grant is a terrific player and should only get better with each rep.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Since Najee Harris left in this mock offseason, the Steelers have a gaping hole at running back. They settle down and take TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of this mock draft. He is an explosive runner accustomed to playing a duo at the position. Warren will get the bulk of the carries to start, but Henderson will be the more explosive running back during his rookie campaign.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Khan already has Fields, Kyle Allen, and Skylar Thompson under contract, but that isn't a strong group.
After a poor combine showing, Will Howard should be available at this pick or even during day three of the draft. Howard has proved that he can excel with a talented roster around him. He should slide into the backup job on day one, which means Allen and Thompson will fight for the last job.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
Smith wants more tight ends, and the Steelers appease him by taking Jackson Hawes. He isn't going to wow anyone athletically, but he is a solid run blocker. Smith needs better tight ends on his offense; Hawes can become the dominant blocker in the run game. He isn't going to provide much as a receiver, but he should beat out Pruitt and Connor Heyward for a roster spot.
READ MORE: Steelers rush to select NFL Combine standout in latest 3-round mock draft
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
One of the deepest positions in the upcoming draft remains at the defensive line. The Steelers want to emulate the Philadelphia Eagles, so they must routinely invest in the trenches. They added Grant earlier, and they take a flyer on Ty Robinson. He's a nice value selection at this point in the mock draft. Robinson has fantastic athleticism and should push for one of the final roster spots.
The defensive line became younger and stronger in this mock offseason.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: LaJohntay Webster, WR, Colorado
They added plenty of receivers, but they decided to add LaJohntay Wester toward the end of this mock draft. He is a thin receiver, but he has a long track record of producing big numbers in college. Wester played his first four collegiate campaigns at Florida Atlantic before transferring to Colorado this past year. His production was consistent, and he could be a diamond in the rough.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Joshua Gray, OT, Oregon State
If they want to be like the Eagles, they better take an offensive lineman in the upcoming draft. Joshua Gray is sitting there with their final pick and he can be a versatile piece. He has plenty of starting experience and could become a swing tackle. Some have also mentioned that Gray can become a guard. Adding depth to the trenches is exactly what the Steelers need.