What Is Pittsburgh Steelers' Biggest Remaining Roster Need Post-Draft? - Athlon Sports Skip to main content

What Is Pittsburgh Steelers' Biggest Remaining Roster Need Post-Draft?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have added some important roster pieces this offseason. General manager Omar Khan completely turned over the quarterback room bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to compete for the starting job.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have added some important roster pieces this offseason. General manager Omar Khan completely turned over the quarterback room bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to compete for the starting job.

Pittsburgh suffered from sub-par quarterback play last season with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, but behind the strength of the defense, went 10-7 and made its third postseason appearance in four years.

Along with key additions, the Steelers also lost some pieces.

Wideout Diontae Johnson might be the biggest loss on offense, but Pittsburgh added Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson to catch passes from Wilson and Fields.

Khan added some depth on the offensive line through the draft last month with Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier.

After the draft and the first wave of free agency, what's still left for Pittsburgh to fill on the roster? Bleacher Report thinks it knows.

Remaining Team Needs: WR, CB, Edge

Realistic Targets: WR Courtland Sutton (trade), CB Xavien Howard, Edge Markus Golden

Bringing in Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator should be an upgrade over Matt Canada, but a lot depends on the supporting cast they've put around the quarterbacks.

It would be easier to feel more comfortable with the situation if they had one more difference-making wide receiver. They are putting a lot of faith in George Pickens, Van Jefferson and Roman Wilson right now.

On the defensive side, the cornerback position is still a concern. They brought in Donte Jackson to pair with Joey Porter Jr., but another veteran would solidify the group.

Xavien Howard is probably the best on the market, and the Steelers have the money to make a run at him.

The edge-rusher group is a little thin as well. T.J. Watt is elite and Alex Highsmith has proved to be a decent sidekick. However, there's room for another proven rusher, and Markus Golden had four sacks while playing 22 percent of the snaps last season but remains unsigned.

The Steelers have been tied to trade talks involving several receivers including Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Courtland Sutton and Zay Jones. Jones is now off the table, having signed a free-agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

If Pittsburgh has any interest in Howard and/or Golden, they're keeping it quiet.

The team will probably approach the offseason with the roster as-is and see how things play out closer to the beginning of training camp and the preseason.