Roster Holes Steelers Absolutely Need to Address to Thrive in 2023 Offseason

Roster Needs For The Steelers

The defensive line has the potential to wear thin. Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi and Chris Wormley are all free agents, with Alualu likely retiring. The Steelers will likely only keep one of Ogunjobi and Wormley, with Ogunjobi probably being the better one to keep. Wormley is still solid depth, but Ogunjobi has been more than a capable starter in the middle of the field and could warrant a three-year deal. The Steelers can get a minor signing and/or a day three draft pick to solidify the depth of the line.

On the other side of the line, some reinforcements can be used on the left side of the offensive line. Unfortunately, there is a lack of talent available in free agency for left tackle and guard, so the Steelers would be expected to use a draft pick, most likely a first-round pick on an LT like Peter Skoronski or Paris Johnson. The current left tackle, Dan Moore Jr., would likely be kept by the team as a depth piece and potential swing tackle in jumbo formations. Kevin Dotson has received plenty of criticism over the last couple of years, but he’ll most likely stay as the starter at LG for 2023, with his replacement coming in the 2024 offseason.

There are many questions on the secondary, both good and bad. Starting with the safeties, both Terrell Edmunds and Damontae Kazee are free agents, and both have performed well this season. Kazee missed the first half of the season with a broken arm but has played well at all safety positions, both as a starter and as a dime backer and rotational piece. Edmunds has continuously grown and developed, solidifying himself as a solid starter. He was on a cheap contract after not getting anything in the free-agent market last year. It would be ideal to keep both on cheap contracts, but who knows if Edmunds will flop again on the open market?

At cornerback, Cameron Sutton is looking for a new contract after an amazing second half of the season. It’s safe to assume that he’ll be looking for a lot of money, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers let him walk and test the open market. There are plenty of options at corner, although the most enticing one is signing James Bradberry to be the number one corner.

There’s also the possibility of drafting Joey Porter Jr. in the second round. There’s also the chance that Sutton stays, even if Khan uses valuable assets on other corners. If he can stay for cheap, he’ll be very valuable playing slot corner. The Steelers do have William Jackson III on the roster, but he’ll most likely get cut to save $12.75 million in cap.

After playing very few snaps in the last two games, it’s all but confirmed that the Steelers will let Devin Bush walk in free agency. Robert Spillane is also a free agent, the Steelers will be looking to fill in that position however they can. A day two draft pick will be most likely used on ILB, although who knows if that would be a day one starter or a depth piece? Edmunds has joked around about getting his brother, Tremaine Edmunds, to join him in Pittsburgh, although that’s unlikely. Either way, the Steelers are still looking for answers on a position that hasn’t had many answers since Ryan Shazier.

A slot receiver could be a need, as it’s somewhat hard to justify having a fourth-rounder who missed the entirety of his rookie season be the starter on day one. There’s the potential that the Steelers draft Jordan Addison, who was a teammate of current Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett. Maybe the Steelers sign JuJu Smith-Schuster back on a cheap TWO-year deal since he’s looking for some level of stability from a contract.

The Steelers could also use some tight end depth since Zach Gentry is a free agent and Connor Heyward could move into a fullback/tight end hybrid role with Derek Watt being a free agent as well. They could go for a cheap free agent like Hayden Hurst or Irv Smith Jr., but don’t be surprised if they pick one up in the draft somewhat early on.