The NFL Draft, which is still six weeks away, has taken on a clearer focus for the Pittsburgh Steelers given what has transpired in the early stages of free agency.
Russell Wilson, a quarterback, Donte Jackson, a cornerback, Patrick Queen, the best inside linebacker available, and, of course, a punter to take Pressley Harvin III’s position are the new additions for the Steelers this week.
They even reached a multiyear agreement on Wednesday to keep All-Pro special teams player Miles Killebrew and long snapper Christian Kuntz.
However, the Steelers lost Diontae Johnson, their most seasoned and longest-tenured wide receiver, and they still haven’t found a replacement for Mike Webster at center.
All of which dovetails nicely into the NFL Draft next month. The offensive line — particularly right tackle and the pivot — remains an area that could require attention on the first day when the Steelers hold the No. 20 overall pick.
The Steelers never were going to use that pick on a quarterback despite what some national draft analysts predicted in January. The addition of Wilson on a one-year deal for the NFL veteran minimum of $1.21 million ensures the Steelers can wait until Day 3 to add a developmental passer.
Some of the second-tier draft-eligible cornerbacks had their names attached to the Steelers, most notably Toledo’s Quinyan Mitchell. By bringing aboard Jackson to finish out the final year of his contract, the Steelers don’t immediately need to find a prospect to pair with second-year corner Joey Porter Jr. It also gives them a year to see if Corey Trice can fill a role as he returns from an ACL injury that cost him his rookie season.
Inside linebacker no longer is a pressing issue as Queen makes a formidable pairing alongside Elandon Roberts. Cole Holcomb is the wild card as he continues healing from his gruesome leg injury that wiped out the second half of his season. The Steelers no longer need Holcomb to be ready for the season opener.
Center remains at the top of the list. With Lloyd Cushberry, Tyler Biadasz, Andre James, Aaron Brewer and Mitch Morse — who visited the Steelers last week after his release from Buffalo — off the market, the position remains the biggest void on the roster.
The benefit of those free agents signing elsewhere is it eliminates the need for those teams to draft a center in the first round. That could lead to the top center prospect, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, still being on the board at pick No. 20. The Steelers also could pursue West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, whom some draft experts view as a grittier prospect and one suited for the Steelers’ offensive plans.
Wide receiver, which was a priority when Johnson remained on the roster, is another spot the Steelers need to address on the first or second day. George Pickens, entering his third season, is the most experienced receiver on the roster. Calvin Austin has played one season. There is no viable third option on the roster.
Even if the Steelers add a receiver to replace Johnson in free agency, that won’t lessen the need to add a pass catcher in what is considered a strong draft class. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has 12 receivers listed among his top 50 overall prospects. That bodes well for the Steelers, whose second-round pick is No. 51 overall.
Tackle remains a position that could be targeted early. Chuks Okorafor was released in a cap-savings move, Moreover, Dan Moore Jr., a left tackle, is about to reach the last year of his rookie deal. The Steelers might target a right tackle like Amarius Mims, his old Georgia teammate, in the first round if general manager Omar Khan fulfills his declared goal of moving 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones back to the left side.
In six weeks, the Steelers’ priorities might change due to other free-agent signings. Safety, slot corner, and defensive tackle/end are still areas of uncertainty. However, the organization’s current actions have given rise to a more limited framework for what must be included in the draft.
