We are now only hours away from the top of the draft kicking off with the Carolina Panthers starting the big night. It is unknown how many of these top selections will go as mystery seems to be surrounding some potential outcomes. The Steelers have shown some of their cards as they continued to express interest in certain position groups during the pre-draft process.
Could the Steelers make trades? Could they continue their free agency spending after the draft? All those rumors have some general merit to them as this club tries to find a way to get better each day leading up to the regular season. Some of those rumors do not make sense for the time being as others could become reality during or after the draft.
False: Pittsburgh is set on taking an offensive tackle in round one
Plenty of fans will hope that the Steelers can find a way to select one of the top left tackle prospects in this class. That might happen as trade rumors continue to surround the black and gold on their quest to try and get either Paris Johnson Jr. or Broderick Jones. Both are the top left tackle prospects heading into night one, but it is highly unlikely that either will still be there at pick 17.
Even though this club will look into the different trades that could land them a top tackle prospect, it is no sure bet that they will select someone at the position. There are plenty of needs across this roster that could use an upgrade heading into night one. Holding onto their picks and trying to fill as many talented prospects on this roster as possible might be the actual outcome that leads to neglecting offensive tackle in the first round.
True: Pittsburgh will evaluate the trade market with their draft capital
As stated earlier in this article, Pittsburgh is going to be active in the trade market heading into night one of the draft. Just because they will investigate what it could potentially take to move up a handful of spots to take a prospect they desire does not mean they will actually pull the trigger. The team is missing some of their later round selections and would likely want to acquire more picks rather than lose a couple extra with a trade up.
It will be interesting to watch how Omar Khan and company view some of these top tackle prospects, especially Jones and Johnson Jr. Both are top talents on the left side and have higher ceilings that should allow them to continue their growth at the next level. Rumors surrounding the club have caused a smoke screen seen by even the most casual fan paying attention to this organization coming into the draft.
Do not be surprised by either outcome, no matter if they decide to pull the trigger on moving up or not. Khan has made his first offseason as the general manager exciting, and he is not afraid to shake things up. He has pulled off countless trades, and he will prioritize adding a left tackle to this group if he can make a reasonable trade that does not sell the farm.
False: Diontae Johnson could be traded from the black and gold
Some people covering the Steelers have floated the idea that Diontae Johnson could be on the trade market. Yes, the club just added Allen Robinson via trade, but that will not change Johnson's status on this roster for now. He is only under contract for the next couple of seasons before he becomes a free agent, but he is too valuable to trade away now.
George Pickens will have a great opportunity to take that next step that everyone talks about. Johnson should be a great second option or a reliable first option if Pickens cannot take that next step in year two. Robinson has experience in the slot and outside, which will allow for some flexibility for different situations for this offense. Having a variety of options should allow Kenny Pickett to make better decisions as the top three at receiver are a talented bunch.
Robinson was added to provide a known veteran receiver that can compete for the slot position. There are now different chess pieces in place for the top three receivers on this team. It also has a trickle-down effect as the depth in the receiver room has gotten that much stronger. That trade should take the black and gold out of the receiver market in the draft.
True: Steelers will likely add free agents after the draft's conclusion
Most of the remaining free agents will be the reliable fallback option for whichever needs are not addressed properly in the draft. Khan has been active in the free agency market and could look back into that talent pool if the draft does not work out well at certain positions of need. It is hard to gauge how each team will pick and that could lead to talented prospects flying off the board, which would leave the Steelers without some options by the time they select.
Before you know it, all seven rounds have rolled around, and you were not able to address some of your potent needs. That is where free agency could come back around as a legitimate option to plug some of these holes that could be left on this roster. There are plenty of things that could go right for Pittsburgh this weekend, but there are also a bunch of things that could go wrong too.
Plenty of known veterans are still looking for a job heading into the draft, which could have calls come their way after this weekend. Some notable names that could interest the Steelers if they fail to address some needs are Taylor Lewan, Justin Houston, and Bryce Callahan. Left tackle, edge rusher, and slot corner are all needs that must have talent added to them before the pre-season process begins and those names could plug onto this roster with ease.
False: Budda Baker will be traded to the Steelers if they fail to add one
Welcome back to the rumor mill as this specific one has cooled off since it was first brought up a couple of weeks ago. Rumor has it Budda Baker wants out of the Arizona Cardinals organization and is seeking a new contract. The extremely talented safety was immediately linked to Pittsburgh as he would be an immediate upgrade at strong safety. This news started to swirl after Keanu Neal signed with the club in free agency.
Cap space is not necessarily the black and gold's friend right now, especially as they still need to sign their draft class. The good news is that cap space can be found rather easily as plenty of cap casualties could still be released and other contracts could be reworked. Getting Baker here might not be the mountain to move, keeping him here for the long haul could be an issue.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the highest paid safeties in the NFL and for good reason. Paying two safeties on the same club a lot of cash might be a luxury the Steelers cannot afford. Baker being traded to this team would solve a lot of issues for the upcoming year, but the cap constraints that would come with it might not be worth it.