3 Free Agents the Steelers Should Still Pursue Before the Draft.

This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been extremely active.

Their quarterback room has undergone a total makeover.

On defense, they have added some significant players. In addition to adding some excellent depth players, the Steelers have strengthened their special teams by adding one of the greatest kick returners in NFL history.

They ought to be far from finished still.

Even after accounting for what they will have to pay their rookies, the Steelers still have a few big issues to take care of before the 2024 season officially begins. They also have some cap space to work with.

In order to address a few more needs before the draft, they should try to add these three players with the cap space available.

Chris Reed

The Steelers don’t currently have a center on their roster. Although it is anticipated that they will select their primary center in the draft, selecting an offensive lineman to start right away carries some risk.

It can take a while for offensive lineman to develop in the NFL.

There would be no depth at the position for the team as well.

In the event that the rookie is hurt or isn’t ready to jump straight away, they need insurance of some sort.

Chris Reed might serve as their insurance.

Although he hasn’t started for the league in a number of years and was sidelined for the majority of the last campaign due to injury, he still brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Having started thirty games in his career, he may provide a valuable senior presence for any rookie selected by the Steelers.

He has demonstrated strong run-blocking abilities when he has started on a consistent basis, which is crucial to the Steelers’ offense.

And he would probably come at very little expense. The previous season, his deal was just for $1.5 million.

The center position will be crucial for the Steelers in 2024 because they plan to run the ball a lot. It would be dangerous to start the season with a rookie at the top of the depth chart.

Prior to deciding on their draft pick, they would be ideal candidates for a cheap veteran who can run blocks should he ever need to play.

Avonte Maddox

The Steelers have already made some very noteworthy offseason transactions, one of which featured a cornerback.

When they sent Diontae Johnson packing, they acquired Donte Jackson.

Jackson will probably take Patrick Peterson’s place as a result of that trade, but they still have a cornerback spot available.

They require a replacement for the slot. This offseason, Levi Wallace became a free agent, and the organization still hasn’t found a replacement.

The Steelers might not have to seek far to find that replacement. They might target a player that was recently cut by the other team in Pennsylvania.

Avonte Maddox had mixed results throughout his first six years in the NFL with the Eagles.

He had excellent coverage as a rookie, limiting the completion rate of the opposition quarterback to less than 55%.

He stopped ten passes the next year and maintained a pressure percentage in the low sixties.

Maddox has had difficulty for the previous few seasons. He hasn’t done nearly as well at stopping completions and has missed a lot of time due to injury.

But that might present a chance for a team willing to take a chance on him.

Maddox is still a superior cover tight end for the Steelers than Wallace was the previous season when he is healthy.

He will also gladly onto the field and make tackles; in 2021, he will make 73 of them.

Playing behind an extremely skilled pass rush and with a talented secondary surrounding him might be advantageous for Maddox.

Because of the injuries, he may possibly be available for less.

Maddox may be a strong fit for the Steelers, who need a slot corner and have been bolstering their defense this offseason, if they can sign him to a prove-it contract for 2024.

Tyler Boyd Should Be a Priority for the Steelers

To be honest, I think this agreement ought to have gone through sooner.

Because of his connections to the area, Tyler Boyd has expressed interest in playing for the Steelers. The Steelers adore him because he is the kind of tough, trustworthy player.

Really, the Steelers need a WR2. It appears to be the ideal fit.

Still, a deal hasn’t been reached more than two weeks into the free agency period.

According to the most recent rumor, the Steelers are unwilling to make Boyd a better offer. However, they have positioned themselves such that a player who is a good match shouldn’t be prevented by cost this offseason.

They currently possess the greatest edge in football. They have no financial commitment at quarterback.

It appears that they intend to fully commit to this season before the aging of their core forces them to pay a quarterback.

The Steelers may select a receiver in the second round, but they have more pressing needs in the first, and it becomes much harder to locate a consistent wide out II who can contribute right away in the latter stages of the draft.

Boyd has been remarkably reliable throughout his career, having amassed over 1000 yards for the Bengals in each of his last two seasons.

In 2024, he would improve their offensive, and the Steelers should go over and above to close a deal.