What I would do in the offseason for the Steelers
The 2024 NFL season has reached its end with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Now, the NFL offseason is here and the new league year begins in roughly one month with the legal tampering period opening and free agency beginning right after.
In terms of free agency and the draft, this is what I would do if I had the pen for the Steelers.
Cut Players
- DL Larry Ogunjobi
- DL Montravius Adams
- LB Preston Smith
- LB Cole Holcomb
- RB Cordarrelle Patterson
- WR Brandon Johnson
- EDGE Eku Leota
- LB Devin Harper
- RB Evan Hull
- S Joshuah Bledsoe
Re-do contracts
- DT Cam Heyward: Restructure
- EDGE T.J. Watt: Extend
The releases, restructures, and a trade that we’ll get to shortly give the Steelers roughly $94 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. That gives them plenty of money to work with to make splash moves.
Trades
- QB Matthew Stafford
-Trade 2025 first-round pick, 2025 fifth-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick - WR Deebo Samuel
-Trade fourth-round pick to San Francisco 49ers - S Minkah Fitzpatrick
-Receiver fifth-round pick from Washington Commanders
Where there’s smoke, there is usually fire. The Matthew Stafford news cycle is featuring a lot of not-so-subtle hints from his wife, Kelly, that a move to a new team could be coming. The Steelers should do all they can to get him.
Pittsburgh is clearly interested in Samuel, and there is mutual interest from the receiver himself. A fourth-round pick should get the job done, and the 49ers should be eating a small chunk of the salary at minimum.
As for Fitzpatrick, he is expensive and no longer in his prime. While still a good safety, the Steelers should move him to a contender for a Day Three pick and sign a talented, cheaper option.
Free Agent Signings
- DL Milton Williams (Philadelphia Eagles) – 4 years, $80 million
- CB D.J. Reed (New York Jets) – 3 years, $45 million
- WR Darius Slayton (New York Giants) – 3 years, $32 million
- S Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts – 4 years, $32 million
- CB Isaiah Oliver (New York Jets) – 2 years, $4.5 million
- QB Kyle Allen (Pittsburgh Steelers) – 1 year, $1.5 million
Milton Williams just had an amazing Super Bowl, registering two sacks on Patrick Mahomes. Building a great defensive line should be one of the top priorities for every team, especially the Steelers who need help in that department anyway.
D.J. Reed remains at the top of my wish list. He is arguably the top cornerback available, and good Lord do the Steelers need a guy like him on the perimeter. Having him as the No. 1 and making Joey Porter potentially the best No. 2 cornerback in football would go a long way for their defensive backfield.
Oliver is a solid nickel cornerback and an upgrade over every guy the Steelers currently have at that spot right now. Williams just had an amazing game in the Super Bowl to help the Eagles sack Patrick Mahomes six times without blitzing once.
Slayton is a popular name at receiver, but it’s not for nothing. Signing him makes all the sense in the world to have as the WR3 on the depth chart. Adding Blackmon and trading Fitzpatrick makes a lot of sense at this juncture. Blackmon is younger and still a very talented safety, and also much cheaper.
Trading for Stafford solidifies the quarterback position and there is no need to go crazy with the backup. Keep Allen, who was in the system last year, and focus on adding other pieces.
Mock Draft
Round 2, Pick 53: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Harmon is one of the most well-rounded defensive tackles in this class. The Eagles showed that if you can get interior linemen who can rush the passer, you will have a great chance to win any game. Harmon had a pass rush win rate of 17.6 percent, which was amongst the best in the Nation in 2024. Plus, this gives the Steelers multiple young defensive linemen, one of which can take the place of Cam Heyward when he retires. Regardless, he’ll get snaps and be part of the rotation right away. Get him in the middle of the Steelers’ defensive line and let him work.
Round 3, Pick 85: CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
Bryant would be a great pick in the third-round to groom as a very good No. 3 and eventual starter. He allowed a passer rating of just 62.7 and picked off four passes.
Round 5, Pick 147: RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
The Steelers really should commit to Jaylen Warren being a 15-20 carry guy, but they’ll need a No. 2 behind him. Etienne would be a fine addition who could play right away in a supporting role.
Round 7, Pick 225: S Malachi Moore, Alabama
The Steelers took a defensive back late in the 2024 draft when they took Ryan Watts out of Texas, but his neck injury leaves a lot up in the air. Moore could be a fringe guy who contributes on special teams and eventually becomes a rotational No. 3 who gets on the field in three-safety sets.
Round 7, Pick 250: WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
Wester fell under the radar because of where he played and who he played with, but he put up 10 touchdowns on 74 catches and would be a potential steal late in the seventh round.
Projected Offense
Quarterbacks
- Matthew Stafford
- Kyle Allen
- Skylar Thompson
Running Backs
- Jaylen Warren
- Trevor Etienne
- Aaron Shampklin
- Jonathan Ward
Wide receivers
- George Pickens
- Deebo Samuel
- Darius Slayton
- Calvin Austin
- Roman Wilson
- LaJohntay Wester
Tight ends
- Pat Freiermuth
- Darnell Washington
- Connor Heyward
Starting Offensive line
- Left tackle: Troy Fautanu
- Left guard: Isaac Seumalo
- Center: Zach Frazier
- Right guard: Mason McCormick
- Right tackle: Broderick Jones
Projected defense
Defensive line
- Cam Heyward
- Milton Williams
- Keeanu Benton
- Derrick Harmon
- Dean Lowry
- Logan Lee
Edge rushers
- T.J. Watt
- Alex Highsmith
- Nick Herbig
- DeMarvin Leal
Inside linebackers
- Patrick Queen
- Payton Wilson
- Elandon Roberts
- Mark Robinson
Cornerbacks
- D.J. Reed
- Joey Porter Jr.
- Cory Trice
- Cobee Bryant
- Isaiah Oliver (nickel)
- Beanie Bishop (nickel)
Safeties
- Julian Blackmon
- DeShon Elliott
- Malachi Moore
- Miles Killebrew