Hopefully, the dust settles soon on the “wheel of quarterbacks” game in the Steel City so we can get back to what really matters—mock drafts!! Of course, the signal-caller position is the first ball to drop, but in this exercise, let’s say the Steelers re-sign QB Justin Fields to a two-year contract worth $15 million per season. That’s what I hope will happen, and I also believe they’ll do.
Here’s a look at five potential offseason additions for the Pittsburgh Steelers to consider through the offseason.
Free agency target: DT Milton Williams (Philadelphia Eagles)
I’ll also predict the Steelers will address one of their biggest needs by bringing in free-agent to be, Philadelphia Eagles DT Milton Williams, one of the best players on the market.
Williams was a wrecking ball in the Super Bowl, constantly disrupting Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in the pocket. He finished the game with two sacks and two tackles for loss – and caused a key forced fumble to put the game on ice. I understand the reaction to this from fans might be that it’s such a loaded defensive line class, so why sign a defensive tackle? With the anticipated luxury cap space, I’d much rather have a proven commodity who is only 25 years old and is outstanding at both stopping the run and rushing the passer, than a rookie.
Trade target: WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (San Francisco 49ers)
The last shoe to drop will be a free-agent receiver. I’ll say the Steelers end up trading their fifth-round pick (157) for San Francisco 49ers swiss-army knife Deebo Samuel Sr. Samuel is Cordarrelle Patterson times a thousand. He would fit like a glove in Arthur Smith’s offense and provide another dynamic weapon alongside Fields in a potential offense centered around the run-pass option.
Let’s dive into how these signings could impact the first few rounds of the draft.
Round 1 draft target: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
If the Steelers don’t address cornerback in free agency – that’s where I would look at pick 21. I’m a big fan of Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, a team captain this past season for the Fighting Irish. Unfortunately, he missed their last six games due to a hip injury, but if his medicals check out, the speedy cornerback will pair nicely with Joey Porter Jr. on the outside. Notre Dame is primarily a man-coverage team, and he was generally on the outside, but he’s versatile enough to play inside. He needs to work on his physicality at the line of scrimmage, as he often relies on his speed to make up ground.
Another defensive back who would be a strong option is East Carolina’s Shavon Revel. I’m obsessed with corners coming off an injury, as Revel tore his ACL in Week 2 of this past season, causing him to miss the rest of the year. But his traits are off the charts. He’s 6’3, 193 lbs., and only allowed just 20 catches in 2023.
Round 2 draft target: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
In Round 2, I’d like to see Pittsburgh continue to address the receiver room, even with George Pickens and Samuel in the fold in this exercise. Ole Miss pass-catcher Tre Harris has a similar skill set to Pickens. His catch radius is one of the best in the class due to his long frame, and he’s a home run threat who does a fantastic job at tracking the ball with late hands and deception.
Round 3 draft target: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Round 3 is the perfect spot to grab a running back, and this class is LOADED. Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson is my personal favorite, as speed is the name of his game. He has once great vision and once he sees a hole, kiss him goodbye. He also excels in the passing game.
Kansas’ Devin Neal is another player I like in that range because I’m not sure Henderson lasts until the third round. He’s a decisive runner who isn’t afraid to stick his nose into oncoming linebackers in pass protection. He has plenty of tread on the tires, toting the rock 760 times over four years with the Jayhawks, but he sits atop the record books as the school's all-time leading rusher. Neal had over 20 games of 100 yards rushing and could have easily transferred to a blue blood. He chose to stay in Kansas, his home state, and continue to ascend the record books — and grow his draft status.
