3 Moves The Steelers Could Absolutely Make Before Team's First Pick In The 2024 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 offseason has gone relatively quiet after the major initial wave of free agency. It was an exciting month of March for the fan base after the additions of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Patrick Queen, among others, while the organization said goodbye to players such as Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson. Work is still left to be done for General Manager Omar Khan if the franchise wants to attempt to contend for a seventh Lombardi Trophy sooner rather than later. The 2024 NFL Draft will be pivotal, but there are still areas the team can improve in prior to Pittsburgh being on the clock.

There are glaring holes on the roster that still exist and it remains to be seen what the plan is publicly to fill them. When Khan dealt Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, George Pickens was left looking around the wide receivers room with no other true play-makers around him. The draft is more than likely to be used here, but something could be coming beforehand.

1.) Adding Additional Receiver Depth A Major Possibility

There haven't been a plethora of names thrown out in the wide receiver trade market. The Cincinnati Bengals are unlikely to send Tee Higgins to a division rival and Justin Jefferson would cost a fortune. The Steelers are certainly keeping an eye on the Brandon Aiyuk situation. The San Francisco 49ers may want to hold on to him, but that isn't a surefire lock to happen.

It's hard to imagine Pittsburgh wanting to rely on a draft pick to step in immediately as the unquestioned number two receiver. Bringing in a solidified player with experience seems like a good approach. Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins are more role players than anything else. Khan could make a splash trade before the team's first pick, maybe even on draft night.

2.) Help For The Offensive Line May Be On The Way

The center and offensive tackle positions are far from fortified. Drafting both positions has become more of an expectation than a logical guess. Most of the talk recently surrounding the Steelers has been about former Miami Dolphins interior offensive lineman and free agent, Connor Williams. Coming off of a torn ACL, he is taking a very methodical approach to free agency in 2024 and remains un-signed.

Currently, it seems as if Dan Moore Jr. will be competing with a rookie in some form. The goal should be to get Broderick Jones to his natural position on the left side, but if Moore beats out a rookie, Jones may be stuck on the right. This could lead to Pittsburgh bringing in a veteran right tackle to potentially unseat Moore so Jones can head over to the left.

3.) Steelers Could Improve Secondary

Joey Porter Jr. earned his job as the team's number one cornerback after his phenomenal rookie season in 2023. Donte Jackson came to town in the Johnson trade, but aside from those two, the rest is a bit of a mystery. A reunion with Patrick Peterson would almost certainly not come until after the draft, but that doesn't mean younger free agents aren't a possibility.

The main name to watch may not be at cornerback, though. Justin Simmons remains a free agent and while the safety position is in decent shape as it stands in mid-April, bringing in a two-time Pro Bowler shouldn't be ruled out. Pairing Minkah Fitzpatrick and Simmons could end up being a dangerous duo for opposing offenses. It would also likely allow the team to stay away from drafting a safety late in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Do you want to see the Steelers make any specific moves prior to the upcoming draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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