Charting out a workforce’s offseason plans usually seems like Doc Brown explaining time journey. One transfer units off a sequence of subsequent occasions that finally come collectively to create a actuality. Like time journey, a workforce’s offseason plans are sometimes directed by what the workforce does first. That’s why it is so laborious to foretell what a workforce will do in the course of the offseason.
It could also be laborious, however predicting a workforce’s offseason plans can be hardly a shot in the dead of night. For instance, it is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers wish to deal with wants at a number of key areas that embody defensive position, inside linebacker, cornerback, security and receiver in the course of the 2023 offseason. How they determine to assault these wants is the more difficult factor to forecast.
One factor we additionally know is that the Steelers will not be searching for a quarterback after discovering Ben Roethlisberger’s successor final 12 months in Kenny Pickett. But in an effort to get essentially the most out of Pickett, the Steelers must do what they did throughout Roethlisberger’s early years by constructing a title-contending workforce round him. That is the problem at present dealing with Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and the remainder of the Steelers’ brass.
With free company and the 2023 NFL Draft on the horizon, and with out the help of Biff’s Grays Sports Almanac, this is a have a look at the 5 issues the Steelers ought to do that offseason.
All venture market values used under are courtesy of Spotrac.
Highsmith is due for a payday after having a breakout season in 2022. A 2020 third-round decide, Highsmith’s 14.5 sacks final season was tied for the fifth-highest single-season complete in franchise historical past. He additionally recorded a league-best 5 pressured fumbles whereas selecting up the slack throughout T.J. Watt’s seven-game absence.
Highsmith’s market worth is projected at 5 years with an annual wage of $12.65 million. That’s an absolute cut price contemplating that Watt makes greater than twice that quantity on an annual foundation.
2. Bring again ‘J Wobble’
Kevin Colbert made a slew of sensible, under-the-radar draft picks throughout his 22 years because the Steelers’ normal supervisor. One of these picks was the workforce’s third-round collection of Javon Hargrave within the 2016 NFL Draft. Hargrave, who starred at South Carolina State previous to being drafted by Pittsburgh, was a top quality starter for the Steelers for 4 seasons earlier than signing with Philadelphia after the 2019 season.
Hargrave blossomed right into a Pro Bowl-caliber participant in Philadelphia. He had 7.5 sacks in 2021 and a career-high 11 sacks final season whereas serving to the Eagles attain the Super Bowl. Now 30, Hargrave is ready to enter the open market once more. The Steelers, who’re in want of inside assistance on their defensive position, can be clever to deliver again the participant Steelers gamers playfully known as “J Wobble” throughout his first stint in Pittsburgh.
Similar to 4 years in the past, signing Hargrave will come at a value; his present market worth is for 3 years and just a little over $20 million a season. But by signing Hargrave, the Steelers would get a longtime run stuffer/move rusher who remains to be in his prime.
Even in the event that they signal Hargrave, the Steelers can be clever to spend a draft decide on an inside lineman who might study below the tutelage of Cameron Heyward and Co. Pitt’s Calijah Kancey (who made waves in the course of the mix) can be a slam dunk within the second spherical if he is not snatched up within the first spherical.
3. Bring in competitors at offensive sort out
Pittsburgh is woefully skinny behind starters Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor. While free company is an possibility, the Steelers will possible use one in all their first three draft picks to fill this want.
Alabama’s Tyler Steen and and Georgia’s Broderick Jones are attention-grabbing choices ought to the Steelers select to discover drafting a sort out with one in all their prime two draft picks. A 3-year starter at Vanderbilt, Steen offered sterling safety for Bryce Young throughout his one season at Alabama. Steen, who can be a viable possibility at guard, will come to the NFL with 45 profession collegiate begins below his belt.
Like Steen, Jones is a sort out who some analysts really feel might additionally play guard on the subsequent stage. That ought to be welcomed information for the Steelers, who do not want an instantaneous starter however may gain advantage by including somebody who might play both guard or sort out in a pinch. A primary-time starter for Georgia final season, Jones is a powerful athlete who turned heads in the course of the mix.
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4. Take benefit of a deep ILB free agent class
The Steelers need assistance at inside linebacker. Fortunately for them, there are a heap of gifted gamers at that place who’re slated to hit the open market on March 15. Among the within linebackers who’re slated to be free brokers is Anthony Walker Jr., who’s seeking to revive his profession after tearing a quad tendon in opposition to the Steelers in Week 3 of the 2022 season.
Formerly the Browns’ MIKE linebacker, Walker is a savvy veteran who averaged 109 tackles per season from 2018-21. In Pittsburgh, Walker would complement fellow inside linebacker (and 2022 free agent signee) Myles Jack whereas rounding out Pittsburgh’s linebacker corps.
Walker, nonetheless simply 27 years outdated, looks as if of venture value taking. Best case, Walker returns to pre-injury type whereas not costing the Steelers a lot cash when in comparison with different free agent inside linebackers. Worst case, he’s a stable depth participant who would current a formidable problem for second-year linebacker Mark Robinson for the beginning job.
5. Draft Porter over Addison
Pickett desires a reunion with former Pitt teammate Jordan Addison. Addison, who received the Biletnikoff Award when Pickett was his quarterback in 2021, advised the Steelers to “come get me” in the course of the mix. The Steelers might use a receiver after buying and selling Chase Claypool, so utilizing a first-round decide to reunite Pickett together with his former teammate is smart.
The Steelers should not, nonetheless, choose Addison over Joey Porter Jr., one of many top-ranked cornerbacks within the draft, and somebody who has additionally expressed his need to play for his dad’s outdated workforce. Cornerback is the next want for the Steelers than receiver, and in Porter, the Steelers would get a younger, gifted defensive again who’s blessed with a uncommon mixture of dimension and pace.
Pittsburgh shares a division with quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. It is paramount for the Steelers to have an elite secondary if they’re going to get again to successful division titles. Porter might assist them get there.
Addison can be a fantastic slot in Pittsburgh, however the Steelers can get one other wideout in later rounds. Among the receiving prospects who will likely be accessible after the primary spherical embody Cincinnati’s speedy wideout Tyler Scott, who caught 9 touchdowns and averaged practically 17 yards per catch final fall.
