Today, we look at where the Pittsburgh Steelers have their 2023 starters in line to return but still might want to find upgrades at these positions this offseason.
STEELERS 2024 PLANS
The Steelers have not traditionally used their free-agent resources in a position where they have an incumbent starter in place. Instead, they’ve usually used free agent money to plug holes while drafting players that could be upgraded.
Last season, they drafted Broderick Jones as an upgrade over Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor at tackle, Joey Porter Jr. over Levi Wallace at cornerback, and Keeanu Benton over Montravius Adams at nose tackle in the first three rounds. All three incumbents remained on the roster. All three top draft picks started by the end of the year.
Tackle
Yet again, the idea of drafting an upgrade over left tackle Moore is in the thick of the Steelers’ draft plan. The Steelers drafted Jones in the first round, trading up to get a player they saw as their left tackle of the future. But it was at the correct tackle that Jones supplanted Okorafor during the 2023 season. Okafor was among the first cap cuts last week by the Steelers which means the Steelers are definitely in the market for a new tackle.
The Steelers would prefer if Jones eventually moves back to left tackle, where he played in college, so the need there could be filled by drafting either a left or a correct tackle.
Center
Mason Cole remains under contract for the 2024 season, but with a disastrous 2023 just closed, it seems unlikely he’ll be in that role for long. Cole had a perfectly serviceable 2022 season and did so while playing through a lingering foot injury, giving hope that he could be even better in 2023. Additionally, the Steelers secured the spot to his left by going out and getting Philadelphia Eagles stalwart Isaac Seumalo in free agency. UPDATE: Cole was released by the Steelers yesterday.
This isn’t a historically deep center class. Still, four targets rise above in Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, West Virginia’s Zach Frazer, Georgia’s Sedrick Van Pram, and Duke’s Graham Barton. There are free-agent options that could be more reasonable if the Steelers don’t like the looks of their chances of getting one of the draft’s top centers.
Strong Safety
Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee operated this spot in 2023, and neither looked great doing it. Neal played about a third of the time but dealt with injuries and was eventually lost for the season. Kazee looked out of place at strong safety, playing his best ball while filling in for Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety or working as the third safety in the team’s heavy nickel package.
It was evident that the Steelers missed Terrell Edmunds and his ability to play in the box against the run and carry tight ends down the field in coverage. They could look to find one of those in free agency.
QUARTERBACK
Kenny Pickett wasn’t nearly good enough in 2023, and while it seems likely that the Steelers will give him another shot in 2024, that shouldn’t take quarterback off the board entirely regarding needs. The Steelers could certainly use an upgrade.
The problem with that idea is that the players with noticeable upgrades are few and far between. The Steelers aren’t getting Drake Maye or Caleb Williams. They could send out a signal flare for a Justin Fields trade or try to swing for Baker Mayfield or Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Slot Receiver
Allen Robinson II didn’t have a great year in 2023, finishing with just 280 receiving yards over 17 games, even while Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth missed significant playing time. There’s no chance the veteran receiver will return at his $11.9 million cap hit, and even if he reaches a deal to return, this is an area the Steelers could look to upgrade.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith utilizes fewer slot receivers than most NFL coaches. The Steelers also have speedster Calvin Austin III waiting in the wings, so this position might not rise highly in the team’s needs based on slot reps alone. Still, a better backup for Johnson and George Pickens would be a substantial addition.
