Saturday evening, a splash free agency signing by the Pittsburgh Steelers was reported. The team is apparently in agreement with former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman, Isaac Seumalo. That's the second former Eagles lineman (Nate Herbig) that general manager, Omar Khan and more importantly, assistant general manager, Andy Weidl have brought in during free agency. Weidl clearly is in favor of having players from his former employer involved in Pittsburgh's offense.
Steelers assistant general manager, Andy Weidl speaks to the media. | Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The signings of both Seumalo and Herbig all but ensure that Kevin Dotson has lost his starting job and could even be released to save over $2.7 million in cap space. The front office is clearly making it a priority to revamp the room of Kenny Pickett's protectors and a new look line of Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels and Chukwuma Okorafor is a complete switch up from what the group shaped up to be during Ben Roethlisberger's final season in 2021.
Those guys are now expected to be four of the five starters while Herbig will provide a solid depth option who can play on both sides. The focus now has to shift towards left tackle, Dan Moore Jr. The Steelers seem to have faith in him after a better second season in 2022, but he's not the long-term answer and it's arguably the most important position on the line.
Regardless, given the team's recent activity in free agency, the only area of the offensive line that is likely to be addressed in the 2023 NFL Draft will be Moore's potential replacement.
Steelers offensive linemen, Kevin Dotson (#69) and Dan Moore Jr. (#65) stand on the field at St. Vincent College during 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Khan and company have done a terrific job addressing all of the needs heading into the offseason, adding to both lines as well as the cornerback and linebacker rooms. This will now provide the organization with several different options when it comes to the draft and their strategy is showing more each day since free agency began.
Having some more depth at safety, wide receiver and edge rusher will be important to emphasize, but the aggressive free agency hints at a very important approach when the draft comes in April. The Steelers, other than at left tackle if the right guy falls, are going to stick to how the organization has always done it.
The Steelers Will Take The Best Guy On The Board
In recent seasons, Pittsburgh selected Najee Harris and Pickett in back-to-back years with first rounds selections. The running back and quarterback positions were a glaring need, but traditionally, the franchise will draft whoever is the best player available and on top of the front office's draft board.
Steelers running back Najee Harris walks on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Bolstering the offensive line while also filling other holes in March has now given the Steelers a newfound sense of freedom when it comes to the most important part of the offseason, the draft. Trading away pick #17 or #32 now becomes a little bit easier to swallow if dealing one gains the team extra draft capital.
Pittsburgh doesn't have to feel tied to one specific position. Their intentions for the 2023 NFL Draft are starting to become clearer. The team wants as much flexibility as possible and now that is available because of the great free agency period thus far from Khan, Weidl and the whole crew.
How would you grade the Steelers' signings thus far? Let us know in the comments below!
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