Steelers' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Free Agency
The 2023 offseason could be a tricky one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Mike Tomlin's team is coming off yet another season above .500, the Steelers missed the playoffs in 2022 and approach free agency with relatively limited resources.
Pittsburgh is projected to be just over the salary cap and will have to work to get under it before the new league year begins on March 15.
This is why the Steelers and general manager Omar Khan will likely place a lot of emphasis on April's draft. If, however, Pittsburgh can clear a little cap room and add a few budget free agents on the open market, it will help tremendously.
By picking up a few quality veterans, the Steelers can, at the very least, narrow their early-draft focus.
With this in mind, let's dive into three areas that the Steelers should look to address in 2023 free agency.
Offensive Line
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There's a major caveat here, as the Steelers would need to either create significant cap space or settle on a true budget option to address their offensive line in free agency. However, this is a major area of need, especially with the protection and development of Kenny Pickett a top goal.
Specifically, Pittsburgh could use upgrades at guard and at left tackle. This past season, left tackle Dan Moore Jr. was responsible for 10 penalties and seven sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. Left guard Kevin Dotson was responsible for four sacks allowed and 12 penalties, per PFF.
The problem is that top-of-the market linemen like Orlando Brown Jr. and Ben Powers won't come cheaply—and Brown is expected to receiver a second-straight franchise tag from the Kansas City Chiefs, according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor.
Pittsburgh might be able to take a flier on offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, who was recently released by the Tennessee Titans. His only stipulation appears to be that he won't return to the AFC South.
"Those are the three teams that are for sure no," Lewan said on his Bussin with the Boys podcast (h/t Mitchell Forde of Athlon Sports). "I would not go play for an AFC South team."
Most likely, though, the Steelers will look to upgrade their line in the 2023 draft. Getting future starters on rookie contracts would be ideal, though Pittsburgh should still look to bolster its line depth in free agency first. Having too many strong options is a far better problem to have than having too few.
Wide Receiver
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While the Steelers should look to double-dip in both free agency and the draft to improve their line, wide receiver is a position that could hypothetically be addressed with a veteran alone.
Yes, the Steelers are quite proficient at drafting and developing receivers, but they have bigger needs along the line and in the secondary. With Diontae Johnson and George Pickens headlining the receiving corps, receiver is down the list.
However, Pittsburgh could use a replacement for Chase Claypool, who was traded to the Chicago Bears during the season.
The free-agent receiver pool isn't expected to be great, but the Steelers should be able to find an intriguing budget option or two by diving in. One intriguing potential target is 25-year-old Indianapolis Colts wideout Parris Campbell.
Campbell had a strong season in 2022, finishing with 63 catches, 623 yards and three touchdowns. This came after three injury-hampered campaigns, suggesting that Campbell may still have untapped potential.
With a projected market value of only $2.5 million annually, Campbell wouldn't break the bank and could do well as a third or fourth receiver in Matt Canada's offense.
Grabbing a low-cost, high-upside receiver like Campbell would be a great move by the Steelers, who could then focus entirely on other needs during April's draft.
Linebacker
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The Steelers need to address a secondary that ranked 26th in yards per pass attempt allowed last season (7.0). Given the cost of quality cornerbacks and safeties, however, it will make more financial sense to do so during the draft.
Adding a linebacker in free agency should be much more budget-friendly. Even high-level players like Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David have modest price points compared to top secondary players.
David has a projected market value of $9.7 million annually. That's a far cry from the $15.1 million annually that cornerback James Bradberry is expected to receive.
One option to consider is Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. He missed the bulk of 2022 with a torn quad but has experience in the AFC North and finished the 2021 season with 113 tackles, 69 solo stops and a sack.
Walker has a projected market value of just $4.4 million annually.
And with Devin Bush, Robert Spillane and Malik Reed all scheduled to become free agents reloading at the linebacker spot would be logical. It's also worth noting that Myles Jack is a potential cap casualty, as releasing him would clear $8 million from the 2023 books.
If Pittsburgh is able to create a wide margin of cap room, then targeting the secondary early and often in free agency would be advisable. Adding a quality linebacker, though, should be much less cost-prohibitive.
*Cap, contract and market information via Spotrac.
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