Pittsburgh just wrapped up one of their best draft classes on paper in decades. It saw them attack various needs with tremendous value selections according to most draft experts. Even though it was a successful weekend, there are still a couple of things that the black and gold should be gunning to accomplish before the pre-season kicks into high gear.
As with any draft, there were some positions that could have used some upgrades that were not addressed during the event. There are not enough picks to go around for the Steelers to add to every need that they carry. Free agency could be a reliable tool for Pittsburgh to use over the next several weeks to round out this 90-man roster heading into the preseason.
Adding another kicker with Pittsburgh roots could be on the docket
An undrafted free agent kicker was added to the black and gold's roster with his recent signing. B.T. Potter joins the club with little hope of challenging Chris Boswell for the starting kicker duties for the up-and-coming 2023 club. He only made a little over 76 percent of his kicks during his final season at Clemson. Bringing in a player that could provide some more heat to Boswell’s seat would be the way to go.
Adding a kicker with some NFL experience might be the way to go and finding one in the lower professional leagues might be the best choice. Chris Blewitt was the long-time kicker at the University of Pittsburgh and currently plays for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL. He is coming off a huge performance and could get some NFL attention with stacked performances like that.
A former first round pick in the USFL could peak the Steelers interest
Another interesting option for the black and gold could be Reuben Foster. He brings the first-round pedigree that the Steelers love to bring onto their team via free agency. Foster is also currently employed by the Maulers, just like Blewitt is. This linebacker is playing great football right now and has shown his NFL-level abilities during the early goings of this season.
There have been some off-the-field issues with this player which led to him being out of the NFL since. Plenty of injury issues and more notably, criminal charges are the brunt of the problems with this player. Foster has seen different accusations of domestic abuse and marijuana charges as well. All those charges were dropped for various reasons.
Foster would be a gamble as the talent on the field has always been there and the Steelers are looking for an upgrade in the middle of their defense. It is possible that Nick Herbig could end up playing there in the NFL, but it will take time to see if he will work out as an outside linebacker first. Adding Foster would bring in a prime linebacker that will be out to prove something. It would take a lot of homework on Foster before this club can give the go ahead to sign him.
Slot corner is another position that has not seen an upgrade yet
One of the positions that was neglected overall in the draft was slot cornerback. Towards the end of day three, it was announced that Chandon Sullivan would be signing with the Steelers via free agency. He has a lot of starting experience in the slot during his time in the NFL, but his snaps are more based on quantity rather than quality. Sullivan has given up a lot of yardage during his time in the league and this spot has become a weak point on defense.
Going back into the lower professional league pool here as Ajene Harris could be a nice get. He has enjoyed a great season in coverage in the XFL for the Houston Roughnecks. He has played most of his time in the slot since joining the club. Harris would be a nice candidate to come onto this team and challenge Sullivan for the slot coverage duties that this club is searching for.
This cover corner would be a nice addition late in the offseason process. The XFL is about to complete their first season with the upcoming championship game in a few weeks. Harris and the Roughnecks were just eliminated from playoff contention. Adding him would provide tremendous competition for Sullivan as the club looks for someone to come onto the field on coverage downs and take Arthur Maulet off the field in those situations.
Adding a known veteran quarterback would be a wise decision
Another position that was mostly neglected during the draft was quarterback. It came as a shock after the Steelers spent some time and resources on a few draft prospects heading into the weekend. Many predicted that this position would be addressed in the later positions of the draft, but that surprisingly did not take place.
Instead, undrafted free agency was the lone accomplishment to ensure that at least three quarterbacks will be on the roster heading into mini-camps. One should imagine that there will be plenty of activity for the Steelers regarding the signal caller position as training camp gets closer. There are a couple of free agent options that could make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh to sign.
Mason Rudolph is still out there and would be an upgrade as the third string quarterback. Does he want to return? Does the club want him? It makes more sense with each day that passes with him unsigned. Ben DiNucci is another name that makes a lot of sense. He is from the Pittsburgh area and had a great season with the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons. He was able to seemingly progress as a player and deserves another shot in the NFL. Joining the Steelers would allow him a year to learn and potentially become the top backup in 2024.
Steelers need to find a running back with special teams experience
One would have to assume that this club is not done adding to their stable of running backs currently on the roster. Anthony McFarland Jr. seems primed to finally make the roster as a true third back, but he does not provide some capabilities that others do. McFarland has shown the ability to return kicks in the past, but he will be in heavy competition for that spot.
One would have to assume that someone like Benny Snell Jr. will get a potential call to return. Nothing would be guaranteed to him as he would seemingly have to earn his spot on the roster over McFarland and others. Snell provides great special teams play by covering both punts and kicks that these other backs do not provide.
Not many people enjoy the thought of having this back return to the black and gold as he could be easily replaced. The issue with the Steelers right now is the amount of uncertainty that special teams has going against it. Adding someone like Snell would bring back a player that has starting experience and quality special teams play. It would not cost much to get him back and there seems to be little to no market for him currently.
Michael Joseph would provide tremendous competition at corner and safety
Finishing up this group as Michael Joseph might be one of the highest quality players on this list. He has enjoyed a tremendous season with the D.C. Defenders of the XFL as they get ready for the championship game against the Arlington Renegades. Joseph has been one of the best players in the XFL this season and will make an NFL roster in 2023 if he decides to depart from his current employer.
Signing this veteran corner would provide two solutions to a couple of problems currently facing the Steelers. He has a solid size that would match up nicely as an outside cornerback option of defense. Joseph would provide solid competition in training camp and would be a nice depth option to keep around. That could put someone like James Pierre in an expendable role.
Another thing that this defensive back has done well this season in the XFL is play in the box. Joseph has also been playing in a safety role that Pittsburgh normally demands from their strong safeties. That could be another great tool that this player could provide to a team looking for options like the black and gold. Killing two birds with one stone would be a nice opportunity to challenge for some of the last spots on this roster before the regular season commences.