Steelers' Best 5 Remaining Options To Fill Major Needs In 2024 Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been the most active team in free agency in 2024, but Omar Khan has been effective. He found an upgrade at quarterback with Russell Wilson over Kenny Pickett for less than half of the financial commitment they would have had to make to match Mason Rudolph's deal with the Tennessee Titans. Khan also imported a Second Team All-Pro, 24-year-old inside linebacker Patrick Queen, to shore up the middle of the defense. Thursday, the Steelers general manager added DeShon Elliott to play safety next to Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

Khan is delivering maximum impact with surgical strikes, but more work must be done. Pittsburgh still has genuine needs that cannot all be addressed in the 2024 NFL Draft in April. The big names are almost gone, but there is still value to be had. Here are five names that Khan, Andy Weidl, and Mike Tomlin could maneuver into position to add to the roster in free agency. 

1) Tyler Boyd

The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson, creating a gaping hole in the wide receiver room. The Steelers have arguably better options to fill the void in Mike Williams and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who is familiar with Arthur Smith's offense. Still, social media is buzzing with sentiment to bring the former Pitt Panthers star home. It isn't entirely clear who wants it more, the fans or the player. 

Boyd is not the long-term answer as the Steelers' second wide receiver. He could be highly effective as a short-term mentor to George Pickens however, and possibly a rookie who would replace him on the outside and move him to the slot, where he is better suited. The Steelers could get better players than Boyd, but his maturity and vocal leadership have real value. If the price is right, a homecoming is warranted and might happen.

2) Connor Williams

The Steelers were rumored to be interested in Mitch Morse before he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The good news is that Connor Williams is still available and might prove to be the best free agent center on the market. The bad news is that teams are scared of his torn ACL late in the season for the Miami Dolphins and his availability to play in 2024.

Medical advancements have turned torn ACLs from career-ending injuries into season-ending injuries. The big issue is that Williams tore his ACL in December, and many players have recovered in months, but it is possible he could miss some time in 2024. The Steelers desperately need a center, and while Jackson Powers-Johnson is high on every fan's wish list, the reality is that the Steelers can't bank on him still being available at pick 20. If Williams proves he will be ready, this is the best option before the April NFL Draft.  

3) Calais Campbell

Pittsburgh has signaled with the signing of Wilson that they are going for it in 2024. Calais Campbell is 37 years old, and this would not be a move for the future, but one thing is still true: He is an effective presence on any defense. Campbell has expressed that he is leaning towards returning to play a 17th NFL season. He started all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season and produced 6.5 sacks, and he was still very effective against the run. 

The Steelers don't need Campbell to play every down, and a rotation of Campbell with Larry Ogunjobi and Cam Heyward opposite Keeanu Benton could be a very effective defensive line. It would also give Khan and Weidl the flexibility to pick a wide receiver sooner rather than later in the April draft and slowly bring along a developmental prospect to pair with Benton for the future. 

4) Xavien Howard

The Dolphins have moved on from Xavien Howard after signing Kendall Fuller from the Washington Commanders. Howard spent eight years in Miami, went to four Pro Bowls, and led the NFL in interceptions twice in 2018 and 2020. He will turn 31 before the season starts, but is still an above-average NFL cornerback. Howard is no longer a number-one cornerback who can sit on an island with the opponent's best receiver, however.

In Pittsburgh, he doesn't have to fill that role. That is Joey Porter Jr.'s job. The acquisition of Howard on the outside could allow the newly acquired Jackson to slide in as the nickelback and give the Steelers a potent combination at cornerback. Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush would have the time to develop at Terryl Austin and Tomlin's pace. Eventually, they could replace the older cornerbacks in front of them by demonstrating the ability to do so instead of out of need. 

5) Trent Brown

New England Patriots tackle Trent Brown has started 93 games in nine NFL seasons. The 6' 8", 370-pound monster was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2019 season when he was with the now-Las Vegas Raiders. Brown posted his best season grade by Pro Football Focus in his nine-year career and seems to be getting better with age. 

The Steelers' need for a center puts them in a predicament at tackle. Brown would give them the flexibility of upgrading the position for 2024, while deciding if 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson can be the long-term answer opposite Broderick Jones at right tackle. Brown is still an excellent run blocker and an above-average pass protector. 

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan Is Still Strategically Shopping For Free Agent Upgrades

Khan's second foray into free agency has been much more calculated than his first. He is taking big shots, but there is no doubt his aim has improved. It will be interesting to see how he addresses the remaining roster holes. Week 1 of the NFL free agency period is almost over, so it wouldn't be surprising for Khan to come up with a couple of more hidden bargains before it ends. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Who do you want to see the organization target from the remaining available free agents in 2024? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbbasq.

#SteelerNation