The Pittsburgh Steelers were still not done in free agency as of Monday evening as the team is reportedly signing big defensive lineman, Armon Watts. The run-stuffer has played in every game in the past three seasons for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 and 2021 and the Chicago Bears in 2022. The front office continues to address the biggest needs for the team all over the field, setting them up for a ton of flexibility when it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft at the end of April.
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan speaks to the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN. | Photo Credit: Michael Conroy / AP Photo
Watts will be a crucial depth piece behind another new addition, Breiden Fehoko, who was signed in late March. It seemed like the defensive line may have been the go-to position in the first round at pick #17, but it is now becoming less and less likely that turns into a reality. With now six formidable linemen on the defensive front, the team should, and probably will, go in a different direction early on.
This area still needs some help and a little more playmaking ability behind Cameron Heyward, but if one looks at the Steelers 'Top 30' pre-draft visits, the big guys up front are projected to go in the late second or third rounds. Gervon Dexter, Siaki Ika, Keion White and Keeanu Benton are the guys the organization looks to be targeting at the position.
Historically, the pre-draft visits are a good indication of what the franchise is looking to accomplish during the draft. With a plethora of cornerbacks and offensive linemen coming to Pittsburgh for private meetings, it certainly seems like the writing is on the wall in regard to general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin's plans.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin roams the field at then-Heinz Field prior to a 2021 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers Won't Ignore Defensive Line In The 2023 NFL Draft
The recent signings of Fehoko and Watts hint at the fact that the team had a goal of addressing the position in free agency so it wasn't a top priority come the draft. The Steelers didn't just successfully add depth but continued the offseason trend of attempting to beef up the run defense.
Bringing in Watts could have solidified that first-round plans are a cornerback or offensive lineman unless the team shocks everyone and goes after a wide receiver, edge or safety. The offseason that Khan is having can't be overlooked, however. It seems like this is a completely new era of Pittsburgh football.
Bringing in a multitude of outside free agents now gives the franchise a ton of options come day one of the draft. A trade-up or back is possible early on and there's no doubt the moves in free agency up to this point were calculated to set the team up in a specific manner. A solid draft could turn the Steelers into a contender.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captains, TJ Watt (#90) and Cameron Heyward (#97) participate during the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The defensive line is probably not done being slightly reinvented as an early-to-mid-rounder is absolutely still in the cards. The names to look out for are the pre-draft visits and the University of Georgia big man, Jalen Carter. If he drops to #17, it will surely make things interesting. For now, though, it seems like the team has other plans early on after another solid signing in Watts.
What do you think the addition of Watts means for the Steelers' 2023 NFL Draft plans?
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