Free agency is about to begin, and I wanted to provide my entire mock offseason for the Steelers. For this simulation, I will be putting myself in charge of this team. No offense to Omar Khan, but I want to take the reigns and get this team back on track.
To do this simulation, I will be using two tools. The first is Fanspeak's “Manage the Cap” simulator for in-house and free-agency moves. For the draft, we will be using PFF’s mock draft simulator. Without any further ado, let's rebuild this team in my own image through this Steelers mock offseason.
Steelers assessment
This team has been consistently mediocre for the past few seasons. I get it, there has been a significant transition from Ben Roethlisberger to this current roster, but the Steelers have been consistently lacking in every recent season. The playoff wins are nonexistent and it feels like this team is just trying to have a winning season every year as opposed to actually competing.
That is no longer acceptable, and in order to get this team on the right track, we are going to embrace the mediocre talent and build for the future. That means trimming the fat off of this roster.
In terms of quarterback, I don’t plan on making any aggressive moves at the position. I just don’t see a feasible way to get a guy who can turn this team into a Super Bowl contender on the roster this year without sacrificing elsewhere. I am seeking a mid-range veteran to compete, but I’m fine sinking or swimming (but most likely sinking) with Pickett and getting a quarterback next year.
I want to continue the investment in the trenches. Ideally, my goal is to have the line rebuilt after this season, and I want to begin the rebuild of the defensive line. While the Steelers will likely fall flat with Pickett at the helm, I want my future 2025 rookie quarterback to have a sturdy line and weapons in place. With that in mind, here are my in-house cuts for the Steelers.
Steelers roster cuts
My tentative goal is to not restructure any big contracts this season. With the salary cap rising organically, I feel like we can get around a T.J. Watt or Minkah Fitzpatrick restructure. This keeps their cap hits lower in the future.
I load up the Steelers roster on Fanspeak and first notice that Mason Cole is still on the roster. Even if he hadn’t been released, I had no intention of keeping Cole on this roster. His regression last year was hard to watch, and he was far too pricey given his poor play.
Larry Ogunjobi is next. While it seems likely that the Steelers keep Ogunjobi around, I think he is an easy cut. The defensive line is a mess, and Ogunjobi isn’t helping the team. You can save a little cap space, but you get to rip the bandaid off and embrace the rebuild.
Joining him is Patrick Peterson. I was never a big fan of the Peterson signing given his age and scheme, and his play was poor as an outside cornerback. He looked ok in the slot and as a safety, but he isn’t worth what he is getting paid. Allen Robinson is also cut, although I have some intentions of signing him to a reduced deal later on if he will take it.
Finally, I’m gutting the strong safety room. The duo of Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal didn’t get the job done, and I would rather combine their salaries and land a competent running mate for Fitzpatrick. After these moves, the Steelers have 54 million in cap space (according to the simulator).
Steelers in-house free agents and free agency primer
Well, this is kind of weird. I was gearing up to try and bring back Mason Rudolph, but he was not available in this simulator. That said, if he were, I would be offering a two-year deal worth five million a season with some incentives if he starts. I don’t think I would offer more than that. Add a backup quarterback to the needs list.
The only guy I have any interest in giving a new deal is Allen. I know I cut him just a few seconds ago, but I think he is a fine fit as the third receiver and slot option when this offense needs one. He isn’t flashy, but if he is willing to play for the minimum, I’m happy to welcome him back. I offer him a one-year deal worth 1.2 million and he agrees.
Other than that, everyone else can walk. Levi Wallace didn’t move the needle last year, and while Montravius Adams had some strong tape at times, I want to revamp this room. The remainder of the options are players I cut, and I don’t feel inclined to try and bring them back.
Before free agency, I tier out my needs on this roster. My biggest holes are a center, a defensive end, a strong safety, a punter, and a slot defender. My second tier of needs are receiver, tackle, linebacker, and cornerback. Finally, I would like to add some depth players at running back, tight end, and quarterback.
All of those needs won’t be addressed in free agency, but I have my attack plan in place and a hearty budget. After the Robinson signing, I still have 53 million in cap space. Plenty of room to make a few major splashes.
Steelers free agency moves
Ryan Tannehill is my first target (to the disgruntlement of Steelers nation). I like what he did in Arthur Smith’s offense and think he is a fine veteran to push Pickett this season. He is offered a two-year deal worth 4 million a season.
Next, I head for my whale of a signing and call up Christian Wilkins. I want to have him come in and provide an instant impact player for this defensive line. He won’t be cheap, but I try and get him on a fair deal. I offer him four years at 17.5 million a season.
I stay on defense for the next pick and look to bolster the safety room with Jordan Whitehead. He is offered a three-year deal for 6 million a season. The secondary help doesn’t stop there, as I offer cornerback/slot defender Sean Bunting a two-year deal worth 5 million a season. I also move quickly to offer Tommy Townsend a three-year, 3 million-a-season deal.
This ends my first day of targets, and when I moved the sim forward, no one agreed to their deals. Lovely. On the plus side, no one agreed to any other deals except Tannehill, who will be getting paid nearly 33 million by the Commanders next season. Ew.
I up Wilkins's offer to 20 million a season, Bunting to 6.5 a year, Whitehead to 7 per season, and Townsend to 3.5 million a season. We also extend an offer center Matt Hennessy to the tune of two years at 2 million dollars a season.
I move the sim forward and we land Townsend and Cushinberry! Two starting positions are taken care of for this team, although my hope is that Hennessy plays more of a reserve role this year.
My new quarterback target is Sam Darnold, and he gets the standard 4 million a year deal. Whitehead gets my max offer, 8 million over three seasons. Wilkins gets my best offer as well, 21 million a season for four years.
I want to find a capable slot cornerback in free agency, and I notice Myles Bryant is available. He has become a strong defender in the slot as a run defender and holds his own in coverage. I offer him a three-year deal for 6.5 million a season. He accepts, but everyone else remains unmoved.
We bump Darnold to 6.5 million a season. I set my sights on Darnell Savage as my new safety target. He is offered a two-year contract worth 5 million a season. I go after Bilal Nichols as well, two years worth 6 million a year. Nichols and Darnold accept their offer, so I guess Pickett will be fighting it out with Darnold next year.
We really need a safety, so we up Savage to 8 million a season for two years. I also go about offering minimum contracts to running back Joshua Kelley, receiver Van Jefferson, tight end Drew Sample, edge rusher Clelin Ferrell, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, and safety Ashtyn Davis. All will be cheap (if they sign) and help fill out the depth chart before the draft.
Not a single soul accepts. I moved my safety offer to Xavier McKinney, as he is still really young and can play either spot. He isn’t the box safety you want, but I can live with that if he provides some stability to the strong safety role. The aforementioned veteran minimum deals all get bumped to 1.5 million a year deals (minus Ferrell, who signed with the Vikings).
McKinney accepts, but the remainder of the depth players decline. In one last attempt to land them, I change the contracts to two-year deals worth 2 million a season. This will make them easy cuts if they don’t perform but gives them a little more money in their pockets. This lands us Sample and Davis-Gaither.
I make my final offers, the same two-year deals from before but now offer running back Nyheim Hines, receiver Parris Campbell, and safety Adrian Amos. The only player that accepts is Hines, and I wrap up free agency with a solid haul of veterans.
Steelers draft prep
With free agency in the books, I don’t hate where this team is, but I also don’t love it. I feel like we got a couple of fine starters. I really wanted to land a big splash name along the defensive line, but nothing materialized. That said, Nichols can be a fine starter in the short term.
McKinney is the biggest name that was brought in, as he can be a more viable and consistent strong safety for this team. There is also the potential for him to play some free safety at times if the Steelers want to continue to move him around. Townsend gives this team their first solid punter in decades.
I like Bryant in the slot, and I am also higher on Hennessy than most. That said, neither will prohibit me from addressing their position in the draft. I’m comfortable with Bryant in the slot and looking for another outside cornerback.
While not the biggest need (I would argue that is still center), I really want to take advantage of this tackle class. My goal is to land a center in the second round and also try to find a developmental defensive lineman. I’m also not opposed to moving around, but the price has to be right.
Steelers mock draft round one: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
This is one of my favorite fits in this draft class for the Steelers. While there are a few top-level center options, I don’t believe any of them have the potential that JC Latham has at a more valuable position. Centers tend to fall in the draft, so I will bank on that and try to land an elite offensive tackle.
In a normal draft where you have two or three great tackles, I don’t think there is a shot that a player like Latham falls to pick 20. He is a refined player who uses his size well to bully defenders. While he has some experience on either side of the line, his build makes a lot of sense for a right tackle, which is a plus for this offense.
Latham is as close to a perfect prospect as you could want for this team. They like their tackles big and long, and Latham fits both of those molds. While Armarius Mims has the better size overall, Latham is by far the better player right now. He is plug-and-play and has the potential to develop a top tackle.
I know this is a sacrifice not taking a center, but tackle is the more premium position and the top of this draft is full of elite-level tackle prospects. Latham could quickly become a top tackle in the league and bookend Broderick Jones as a pair of talented blockers for the next few years. I will take my chances on finding a center on day two.
Steelers mock draft round two: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Well, the run-on centers was earlier than I expected. My goal was to land Zach Frazier here, but he somehow went in the first round to the Ravens of all teams. I wasn’t opposed to moving up for him, but that kind of jump was illogical. I’ll have to change my plan on the fly.
Speaking of, there is no player I love at pick 52 now. The 49ers happened to show interest in the pick, so I decided to trade back and acquire their third-round pick (94th overall) and a fourth-round pick next year. With the extra pick and how the board breaks down, I opt to draft Xavier Legette.
In another deep receiver class, Legette is one of my early draft crushes. Diontae Johnson likely isn’t going to be around for the long term, so I want to find a potential replacement now to develop him in this system. Leggette fits that mold better, as he can struggle against press coverage and can work underneath.
The Arthur Smith offense doesn’t provide a lot of work for a third receiver, so Legette can develop his route running this year in a reserve role. Assuming Johnson departs, Legette can work with George Pickens as the primary pair of starters for this offense in the future.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia
I missed out on the top names at center, but there are still some intriguing names that can develop into starters eventually. Sedrick Van Pran isn’t my favorite prospect, as he has short arms, but he was a mauler in school and has the traits you want in a quality starter.
His technique is poor which has led to inconsistencies, but if you can harness his raw potential, you should have something here. You may need a stopgap center for the short term (here is to hoping Hennessy can reclaim some of his previous play), but Van Pran should become the starter sooner rather than later.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
This is the pick from the trade back with San Francisco.
I am less convinced that the Steelers need to land a top prospect/free agent at outside cornerback this offseason. We have a sure starter in Joey Porter, and there is some potential in the room in Cory Trice and Darius Rush. I opt to add Cam Hart into the mix given his size is what this team wants in an outside cornerback.
Hart is a less athletic Porter in terms of build, and he has the makings of a steady second cornerback long-term. The depth of this class pushes him down the board, but that is to the Steelers benefit. He gets thrown into the mix with the other two young cornerbacks and ideally, one of them comes out on top.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida St.
Yes, I’m taking a mid-round quarterback. I don’t like it, but I think it makes sense this offseason. And as a prospect, Jordan Travis has some flash to his game. He was on a historic pace this past year before an injury ended his season.
I don’t expect him to come in and win the starting job, but if the team gets lucky, maybe you have something. If not, it gives you a cheap backup on the roster for four seasons while he is on his rookie deal. This isn’t the flashy quarterback move the fans want, but it makes a lot of sense to me.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Maason Smith, DL, LSU
Maason Smith has been one of “my guys” for a while now. This isn’t because of his incredible tape or insane athleticism. Instead, it is because he fits the mold of what the Steelers want in a defensive end perfectly. He has great height and weight and his length is elite for the position.
The tape isn’t as he was inconsistent in school and disappeared on tape often. My plan would be to get him in the room and learn from Cameron Heyward and, ideally, have him be your weekly inactive as he develops as a player. There is a high ceiling here, but Smith needs a lot of work to get there. That said, his build is perfect for this defense.
Steelers mock draft round 6: Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
A holdover from my last mock draft, the Steelers don’t need to add another running back to this room, but I could see them carrying four bodies at the position and Frank Gore looks the part for the team. Shorter and stocky, he runs with a lot of burst and power. He doesn’t let his lack of size get in his way, and he plays a lot bigger than what he actually is.
For an offense that is so dependent on the running game, having options in case of an injury is important. Gore also has the NFL bloodlines that this team loves. He will be an emergency option, but I think he would be a solid injury replacement if one of the Steelers starters went down next year.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State
Rounding out the draft is a safety to add some depth to the room. It took a while for Josh Proctor to see the field on defense, but he played well for Ohio State last season. He has good size and decent athleticism for the position as well.
He is a great run defender and can play well in the box. The further away from the line of scrimmage he gets though, the worse his play is. I think he could eventually develop into a role player for this defense, but he should provide some depth at strong safety early on in his career.
Steelers offseason roundup
I’m not going to lie, this offseason didn’t go as I planned it to. In particular, I thought I was going to land Christian Wilkins, but I thought anything that far over 20 million a season was a hard pill to swallow for a player with one really good season under his belt.
I was also confident in landing one of the top three center prospects, and more than likely Frazier in the second round. I find it hard to believe that he goes that early, especially after not testing at the combine, but I’m not going to cheat the simulation.
The quarterback position is still blah, but again, I’m fine with going down with the Pickett ship. It puts me in a position to land a top quarterback prospect next year. If Travis can recapture some of his college hype, you could have something there as well (although I would doubt that).
The offensive line did get a nice boost, and while there may be some growing pains at center, I think this should be a strength for the team moving forward. The defensive line also has some help now, and if Smith develops properly, you could have a long-term starter there.
I really like the secondary as well. You have one of the best slot cornerbacks join the roster and a three-way battle for the second outside cornerback spot. The safety room gets a big boost from McKinney as well. But that is all I have for my time as the GM. Let me know what you think, and let's all get excited for the actual offseason to begin next week!