The black and gold faithful would love to see the Pittsburgh Steelers make a huge splash when free agency starts in mid-March. The unfortunate reality is that signing a big-time name to a lucrative contract is unlikely given current cap space as well as the franchise's history when it comes to this time of year.
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan is introduced as the new head of the front office following Kevin Colbert's retirement in May of 2022. | Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers
That doesn't mean, however, general manager Omar Khan won't be active when external options' phones have their ringers on. With multiple positional needs on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Pittsburgh is going to have to entertain free agency to some extent.
Specifically, taking a look at the defensive line, there are serious holes and a lack of depth with the new league year on the horizon. Pittsburgh is going to need depth at the position in both free agency and the draft most likely. Re-signing Larry Ogunjobi could be a plan, but it isn't a guarantee and other avenues may need to be considered.
The approach come April's draft will be a little bit easier after the Steelers attempt to fill the roster in mid-March. There is a specific player who the franchise passed on during the 2018 NFL Draft and while he wouldn't have made the team an immediate contender back then, could certainly be an inexpensive, yet experienced option to help bolster the defensive front in 2023.
Looking back, no draft goes perfectly and most teams could have selected players in certain spots that would have changed an entire organization. That's the reason why it's tough to look back and think 'coulda, woulda, shoulda.' With that said, two-time Super Bowl Champion Derrick Nnadi was passed on by Pittsburgh in 2018.
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Back in 2021, the defensive tackle was named the Kansas City Chiefs most under-appreciated player by NFL.com. No one is saying he is going to lead the Steelers back to the Promised Land, but he has been a consistent and for the most part, healthy piece of the defense over the last few years.
Nnadi started all 17 regular season games in 2022 for Kansas City and Pittsburgh isn't looking for a guy to become the main figure in what already is a star-studded defense. Bringing in a guy with games of playoff experience to help a rather inexperienced defensive front (aside from Cameron Heyward) would be a boost to the unit.
Back in 2018, Pittsburgh selected wide receiver, James Washington at the end of the second round and Nnadi was selected just 15 picks later. While Washington has only played 17 games in the last two years, Nnadi started that many in 2022 alone.
Steelers former wide receiver, James Washington (#13) catches a pass in warmups prior to a 2021 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills. | JORDAN SCHOFIELD/STEELERNATION (@JSKO_PHOTO TWITTER)
Nnadi Would Be Great Addition To Fortify Steelers Defensive Front
Pittsburgh's defensive line was solid entering the 2019 draft so it can't be held against the front office for passing on a prospect like Nnadi. But, Javon Hargrave was gone a year later and Stephon Tuitt's career came to a screeching halt recently. It's not too late to go after the big man years later to help an area of need.
Nnadi is not going to be the best player on the field or completely change the dynamic of the Steelers' defense, but he would be a great addition to a light defensive line. In hindsight, it might make up for drafting a wide receiver who was only truly utilized once in his four years in Pittsburgh.
Do you think Nnadi would be a great depth piece for the defense? Let us know in the comments below!
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