Changes during an offseason are inevitable, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should be looking to tinker with their roster. It was another disappointing conclusion to the season, where the club yet again struggled in the postseason. If they want that trend to change, they must alter the players who suit up for them. General Manager Omar Khan has the cap space to work with and should be aggressive.
In this mock simulation, it will progress through four stages of the offseason.
Those four stages include: cap casualties, re-sign, free agency, and a mock draft to conclude everything. While Khan might struggle to replicate an outcome comparable to this mock offseason, it's not impossible. Pittsburgh has the cap space and ability to accomplish such success. It will be up to them to reach it.
Pittsburgh Steelers mock offseason creates plenty of exciting changes across the roster
Entering the offseason, the Steelers have a strong amount of cap space to work with. They have $44.94 million to work with between re-signing players and targeting free agents. You must also remember to leave some cap space available to sign your incoming draft class. There should be few excuses as to why Khan shouldn't be aggressive this offseason with that amount of spending cash.
Cap Casualties: Patrick Queen (+13.33), Malik Harrison (+4.75), Jonnu Smith (+7), Mason Rudolph (+3), Jalen Ramsey restructure (+9)
The cap casualty portion kicks into high gear, and the Steelers cut five of their own and restructured Jalen Ramsey's contract to make his cap hit serviceable. Patrick Queen got a vote of confidence from Khan in a recent interview, but his cap savings would give the club a better shot at upgrading its team. The rest of the cap casualties put the team at a whopping $82.02 million in cap space.
Re-sign: Aaron Rodgers (1-year $15 million), Cole Holcomb (1-year $2.5 million), Asante Samuel Jr. (2-year $4.8 million), Chuck Clark (1-year $1.2 million), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (1-year $1.2 million), Corliss Waitman (1-year $2 million), Connor Heyward (2-year $2.7 million)
Aaron Rodgers commits to return for another season, but there aren't too many notable players returning. They do bring back some role players who could become starters, such as Cole Holcomb and Asante Samuel Jr. The rest are depth players who could fill specific roles on the roster if they make the final 53. Pittsburgh has $58.37 million to work with entering free agency.
Free Agency: Jaquan Brisker (3-year $25 million), Eric Stokes (3-year $22.2 million), Jalen Nailor (1-year $4.8 million), Mekhi Becton (1-year $6.5 million), Aaron Jones (1-year $5 million), Elandon Roberts (2-year $4.5 million), Andrew Billings (2-year $5 million), Trent Brown (1-year $3 million), Tutu Atwell (2-year $6 million)
Free agency rolls around, and the Steelers add some splashes to their defensive side of the ball. They sign Jaquan Brisker and Eric Stokes to help fortify their secondary with proven starters. They come with a hefty price tag, but the defense struggled at times last season and needs to address those issues. Pittsburgh also adds Andrew Billings and Elandon Roberts to help play big roles for the club.
Looking at the offensive side of free agency, Khan wasn't as aggressive as some of Steelers Nation might prefer.
He sprinkled in low-cost signings with proven track records to shore up any glaring holes. Jalen Nailor has some potential and could be a quality receiver, but he isn't anything special. Adding Mekhi Becton, Aaron Jones, Trent Brown, and Tutu Atwell provides proven veterans to fill out the roster.
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Steelers mock draft witnesses a trade that kicks off a solid draft class full of potential
Night one of the NFL Draft rolls around, and the Steelers know they still need a quality starting receiver opposite of DK Metcalf. They added Atwell and Nailor in free agency, but they must get a better receiver than that. They watch as two of the top three receivers go in the top eight of the first round, and trade calls start happening. It's a steep price, but Pittsburgh needs a quality weapon.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1 (Via Chiefs): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
After trading up, the Steelers finally land a young receiver who should help their offense. They select Carnell Tate with the ninth overall pick in this mock draft. It wasn't cheap moving up to pick him, but it's worth the two third-round selections with this outcome. Tate has been rising draft boards recently, but in this case, Pittsburgh saw him drop just enough.
Khan finally fixes the receiver position.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
After cutting Queen earlier in the offseason, Pittsburgh didn't address the position much. They have Payton Wilson, Roberts, and Holcomb to compete for a pecking order, but they need more quality in the middle of the defense. They go with Jake Golday here to help solidify that group. He is a physical linebacker who is a quality run stuffer, which should pair well with Wilson being more of a cover guy.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa
Becton and Brown were added as insurance policies in free agency, but the Steelers would prefer to remain young in the trenches. Gennings Dunker is the pick here, and he is a perfect fit for Pittsburgh. He's listed as a tackle entering the draft, but he played at both guard spots at the Senior Bowl. The Steelers would start Dunker as a left guard and try him at different spots across the trenches.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Although the organization has completely retooled the secondary already in this mock offseason, they could still do more, and that's why Davison Igbinosun is the selection. A full-time starter at Ohio State, he grew better every year. Igbinosun primarily plays outside cornerback but has also seen time in the slot and in the box. He provides quality competition to the bottom of the depth chart.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4 (Comp Pick): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
After cutting Mason Rudolph as a cap casualty, the Steelers open the door to a young quarterback.
In this mock draft, they are pleased to see Drew Allar sitting there with their compensatory pick in the fourth round. Adding a young signal caller with potential to learn behind Rodgers this year would be more beneficial than Rudolph returning. Howard and Allar could battle it out each week to become Rodgers' potential successor.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Nolan Rucci, OT, Penn State
With the questionable future of Broderick Jones now in the forefront, don't be shocked if the Steelers invest in the trenches once more. They should be attacking the offensive and defensive lines in each draft, and they do that here once again with Nolan Rucci. He is coming off a dominant performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl and could compete for a starting job or the swing tackle role.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
Investing in the trenches on either side of the ball should be a priority for the Steelers during each draft. They select DeMonte Capehart in the sixth round of the mock draft to help battle for a roster spot. They could use some extra competition as several free agents are leaving town. Capehart has never lived up to his billing at Clemson, but he has all the talent to unlock his true potential in the NFL.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6 (Comp Pick): Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia
Sometimes, having a strong week at one of the pre-draft All-Star games is all that you need to get drafted. Noah Thomas had a terrific week at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and that got him on scouts' radars. The Steelers would be wise to add as many receivers to their roster as possible to make a quality group. Thomas is a big-bodied receiver with limited production, but could be better in the NFL.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Rounding out this mock draft and offseason simulation is the selection of VJ Payne.
The secondary is in a strong position at this point, but Payne is an intriguing addition who can push the players lower on the depth chart. The Kansas State product should do well on special teams, which is needed for a seventh-round pick. Payne has plenty of starting experience and played all over the secondary in college.