Steelers 2024 Free Agency Primer: Every player Pittsburgh should target in 2024

Defensive Targets

Finally, the Steelers have some needs on the defensive side of the ball as well. While this is the unit that the team gets constantly applauded for boasting, they aren't without their warts. The team needs to add an interior defensive lineman, an inside linebacker, and a cornerback this offseason.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, Justin Madubuike was franchise-tagged by the Baltimore Ravens, but that doesn't mean they are without options on the defensive line. Christian Wilkins and D.J. Reader present the team with two strong options up front. Omar Khan has said he wants to build through the trenches, and adding either of these two to a defensive line with Cameron Heyward, Keanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi would do wonders in strengthening their run defense.

As for inside linebacker, the position was strong last season, before the team lost Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander to injuries. Now the team needs to add to the position to have someone alongside Elandon Roberts. Some options for the position include Jerome Baker, Willie Gay, Josey Jewell, and Patrick Queen. Queen would present the option of the Steelers making the flashy move and signing a big-name free agent at a position of need, but this doesn't seem like the position they'll spend big on.

However, the other three options appear to be names that sound like Steelers targets. These three fit the mold of targets the Steelers typically go for, as all three are in the same mold of player as Cole Holcomb, whom the Steelers liked last year. All three are able to play against the run and the pass, and any of them would be a valuable addition to a position group that is sorely lacking.

Finally, at cornerback, the Steelers have a need for both a slot option and an outside option. They will likely target their outside corner in the draft, after the top two free agents at the position, L'Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson, receive the franchise tag. The top free-agent options for the Steelers to look at are Kendall Fuller, Kenny Moore, and Keisean Nixon.

Fuller is an interesting option as he can play both outside or in the slot, however, I believe he will be out of their price range given his age, and the Steelers will look towards the slot only guys in free agency while deferring to the draft for an outside guy.

This leaves Moore and Nixon as the options, with both serving as solid clot cornerbacks, who will likely come cheaper, due to their limitation to playing only in the slot. While both are good players, who would be welcome additions, Nixon's got the edge in age and also presents the bonus of being one of the best return specialists in the NFL.

Only time will tell who the Steelers will sign, but they must be active this offseason. With a multitude of needs, a strong free agent class, and a bump to the salary cap, there is no reason for the Steelers to skimp out on Free Agency. Signing a few of these players, or maybe even other ones on the market, to bolster the roster is the perfect way to strengthen the team and narrow down their focus on what positions they need to attack in the NFL Draft.