Omar Khan didn't sit on his hands during the 2024 offseason. During free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash by signing players like LB Patrick Queen and S DeShon Elliott before loading up on talent in the NFL Draft.
Because of their offseason roster moves, many players on the team were impacted. Many of these players are now expected to either have reduced roles or to be pushed off the roster completely because of the new acquisitions.
However, there are several players who find themselves in a perfect situation following the offseason. Here are four Steelers with soaring stock following Pittsburgh's 2024 roster revamp.
Nick Herbig, EDGE
Recently, I wrote about how Nate Herbig was arguably the biggest loser from Pittsburgh's offseason moves, as the Steelers added a pair of offensive linemen (Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick) in the NFL Draft. The opposite can be said for his brother, Nick Herbig.
The Steelers not only let Markus Golden hit the free agent market, but they did nothing to replace him in the 2024 NFL Draft. While Omar Khan could still make a move for a depth signing at edge defender, not addressing the position shows just how much confidence the team has in Nick Herbig. His stock is soaring entering his second NFL season.
Jaylen Warren, RB
Jaylen Warren's stock is through the roof right now. After the Steelers declined to pick up the fifth-year option for Najee Harris, there's a clear path for Warren to be the feature back in 2025 and beyond. Both Harris and Warren need new contracts, but Warren has youth and efficiency on his side.
Though the Steelers added veteran RB Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency, he isn't expected to carve out a big role from the backfield; rather, he will be used primarily as a kick return specialist. Warren could see an even bigger share of the carriers in Year 3 in Arthur Smith's wide zone offense, and he will earn a big payday if he can stay healthy this year.
Cory Trice Jr., CB
It's hard to have much confidence in a former seventh-round pick who spent his rookie season on IR, but Cory Trice Jr. must be grinning ear-to-ear after the 2024 offseason. While the team added veteran cornerback Donte Jackson as part of the Diontae Johnson trade, they didn't address the CB position until the sixth round of the NFL Draft when they selected Ryan Watts.
This means that Trice has a chance to be the third cornerback on the team, barring another signing. After tearing his ACL early in training camp as a rookie in 2023, his stock is as high as he could have hoped for at this point. Right now, Trice has a path to playing time in 2024 if he can avoid the injury bug.
Montravius Adams, DT
Whether you are a fan of Montravius Adams or not, it's hard to argue that his stock isn't on the rise. The Steelers added defensive linemen Dean Lowry (free agency) and Logan Lee (NFL Draft), but players fill a different role on the defensive line.
Adams might not be an ideal fit at nose tackle, but the team didn't make any other moves to address the position and give him competition this offseason. After re-signing with the team, Adams looks like a roster lock who will continue to have a rotational role on the defensive line.