It has been a busy free agency period for the black and gold to kick off the official start to the offseason. Many different additions and subtractions from last season’s roster have already occurred and many more could be on the way. Even though the club has seen a new vision being displayed by Omar Khan, there is still a lot more work to be done so this roster can build off their campaign last year.
Some of the main needs for this organization to address before training camp hits include receiver, tight end, safety, cornerback, outside and inside linebacker, both defensive and offensive line, and quarterback. Those are the areas that the Steelers would like to improve between now and the start of training camp if possible. Plenty of holes to fill between the rest of free agency and the draft process as well.
Finding a receiver to fill out the bottom of the roster still needs to be found
One would have to imagine that the black and gold would love to bring back Miles Boykin at some point. His market does not seem overwhelming as he continues to sit out in the free agency waters. He is a solid depth piece that established a great ability to play effective snaps on special teams, which is hard to find in a receiver. Bringing him back would put a lot of concerns and worries to rest for this club's depth.
If Boykin is not retained, then there could be some different options to fill that void. Depth at the receiver position is something that could become increasingly desperate to address, especially with Steven Simms and others futures being in question. Drafting someone seems like a logical choice in the mid to late rounds, but signing a veteran to this group might be the best choice overall.
Adding to the cornerback room with some quality talent has to be accomplished
Everyone's heart seemed to stop when it was announced that Cam Sutton would not be returning to the Steelers. He signed with the Detroit Lions on a new lucrative contract that gave him a huge pay raise. The worry of Sutton's loss still might be there, but it is not nearly as bad as it was before Patrick Peterson was announced to be joining the club via free agency.
He signed a new two-year contract with the black and gold after having a solid season in 2022. There is still a lot of work to be done with the cornerback room for this upcoming team, but the good news is there is still a lot of time. Trying to find a slot cornerback to put on the field in coverage scenarios is one of the biggest needs for this roster.
Free agency could be another option to add to the slot cornerback role, but there are other players on the roster that could challenge for that spot. It seems more likely that the black and gold will turn towards the draft to address the cornerback position when compared to the free agency options. There are plenty of high-end prospects that could be targeted early like Joey Porter Jr., Julius Brents, and Deonte Banks.
Solving the issues along the offensive like is vital for the Steelers success
Fixing the left side of the offensive line seemed to be the highest priority entering the offseason. That might be taking a small detour right now as the club did make a move during the first wave of free agency. Nate Herbig was signed to a contract that seemingly pays him to challenge Kevin Dotson for the starting spot as the club's left guard.
Even though Herbig was signed, that should not cause Pittsburgh to stray away from considering another addition to bring in to start at left guard. Maybe Dan Moore Jr. could be a fit there. Some have floated that idea out and it could make sense for him to throw his hat into the competition if an upgrade at left tackle takes over his starting role.
Trying to stabilize both guard and tackle on the left side is still a very important task to accomplish before training camp. The draft will have some interesting names that could entice the Steelers to take them at some point in the process. Names like Broderick Jones, O'Cyrus Torrence, Dawand Jones, and John Michael-Schmitz are some top options in the early goings of the draft. Free agency does not seem like a realistic avenue to upgrade this position unless Cincinnati is willing to trade Jonah Williams within the division.
Linebackers were added in free agency, but there is still more to do
Not too many positions changed in free agency more than the inside linebacker spot. It saw the major contributors from last season exit while some fresh faces were brought onto the club. Both Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb signed new deals with the Steelers in their efforts to try and find stable starters for the group.
Out of the two, Holcomb is the only true option to start on this defense without any sort of competition behind him. Roberts can start if need be, but it would be better if the club went out and drafted a coverage linebacker early in the draft. We are currently a month away from the event, and the organization has shown interest in a couple of linebackers to this point in the pro-day process.
There are plenty of names that could be interesting to add via the draft like Trenton Simpson, Jack Campbell, and Nolan Smith. Outside linebacker might not be as dire of a need, but it is something the Steelers would like to add when it comes to a depth role. It has been reported that Bud Dupree's name has been brought up in terms of a reunion and that would make a lot of sense if he is healthy.
Steelers issues in the defensive trenches need to be resolved going forward
Both sides of the trenches have gotten a lot of coverage heading into the offseason, and for good reason. Both offensive and defensive lines have struggled to control the trenches for a handful of years now. The Steelers did a tremendous job of re-signing Larry Ogunjobi to a new contract that will keep him around for three more years.
The issue of Ogunjobi's health is a question mark moving forward, but he is good when healthy. Figuring out a youth movement behind him and Cam Heyward needs to be started this offseason in some form. Also adding some depth pieces must be accomplished as there are plenty of veterans that are departing the club in different fashions. Tyson Alualu is retiring, and there are some players that have some questionable injury situations right now that make everything cloudy.
Chris Wormley is still recovering from injury, but he could be a last-minute signing as long as his health checks out. Looking at some other free-agent options could be a wise idea, especially when you look at potentially upgrading the nose tackle role over Montravius Adams. The draft seems like the most likely scenario to attack these issues with names like Keeanu Benton, Bryan Bresee, and Mazi Smith being some options.