Steelers' 4 Best Options For Key Roster Spots That Omar Khan Could Still Target In Free Agency

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has been busier than a hive of bees during the 2024 offseason. Mike Tomlin has been getting roster upgrades at a dizzying pace. Khan has supplied him with not one, but two upgrades at quarterback by signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. He has added Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott to strengthen the Steelers defense. Khan is now currently rumored to be negotiating to bring a number-one wide receiver to Pittsburgh. 

According to Antonio Brown, talks to bring Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson to Pittsburgh are ongoing. If Khan pulls off a trade for Jefferson or Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers, the potential of pairing either with George Pickens would make the Pittsburgh receivers one of, if not the best duo in the NFL. 

The Steelers still have roster holes to fill when Khan takes a break from working the phones for the next big trade. Here are four names he could still sign that could play meaningful roles for Tomlin in 2024.

1) Mekhi Becton, Tackle

The Steelers have been associated with JC Latham, Amarius Mims, and virtually every other tackle prospect expected to be available with the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Andy Weidl and Khan demonstrated in 2023 that the trenches are a priority, using two of their first three picks on Broderick Jones and Keeanu Benton. Pittsburgh also drafted Darnell Washington to bolster their run blocking and are rumored to believe that Spencer Anderson could become a starting-caliber tackle.

Mekhi Becton was the 11th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is still just 24 years old. The New York Jets gave up on him and released him after a disappointing 2023 season. In the Jets' offense, he was much better as a pass protector than a run blocker. Becton would be a reclamation project and the exact example of a free agent prospect the Steelers used to target. Becton would allow draft flexibility and provide Anderson a baseline performance to exceed to take the starting right tackle job. Best of all, the Steelers can get him cheap and maybe find a hidden gem. 

2) Xavien Howard, Cornerback

Pittsburgh is not looking for a number-one cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. demonstrated in 2023 that he appears to be the answer. Xavien Howard may not be a number-one cornerback in 2024, but he would be a high-end number-two option. Howard is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and has led the NFL in interceptions twice. 

Porter, Howard, and Donte Jackson would be an intriguing top three options in the 2024 quarterback room, rounded out by Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush. Pittsburgh would love to draft a high-end cornerback, but offensive line needs may take precedence. Signing Howard would allow them to select a sleeper option like Dwight McGlothern from Arkansas or Max Melton from Rutgers later in the draft. 

3) Michael Gallup, Wide Receiver

Trade rumors for Aiyuk, Jefferson, and Stefon Diggs are fantastic, and it is hard to rule out anything in Pittsburgh at this point with Khan at the helm. However, all three names would come with a hefty price tag. It would cost significant draft capital and a big financial commitment to secure one. Even Khan might have to embrace the reality of what is left of the current wide receiver market. 

Michael Gallup was a rising star in the Dallas Cowboys offense until an ACL injury derailed his career in 2021. Gallup struggled to find his way back in 2022, but demonstrated that he might still have something in the tank during the 2023 playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers when he caught six passes for 103 yards. Gallup's big-play ability could be a solid fit in Arthur Smith's offense. 

4) Kyle Van Noy, Edge

The Steelers have the best pair of edge rushers in the NFL, with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. Khan and Weidl added Nick Herbig to the mix in 2023. In limited duty, he flashed star potential at the position. At the very least, he will give Teryl Austin quality reps while Watt and Highsmith rest in 2024. The Steelers decided to let Markus Golden explore free agency in 2024 and need a fourth man to fill out the edge rushing rotation. 

Khan has already imported two former Baltimore Ravens defenders, and Kyle Van Noy would make a solid third edition as a depth piece. Van Noy had the highest sack total of his career in 2023 and could thrive in the Pittsburgh defense. It would give Tomlin the deepest collection of edge rushers he has ever had at his disposal on one roster. He played on a $1.4 million contract for the Ravens, and adding another defender from Baltimore would weaken their defense even further for 2024. 

Steelers' 2024 Offseason Has Been A Dizzying Display Of Omar Khan's Ability To Make Meaningful Changes

The free agent pool is evaporating, but there is still talent to be had. At this stage of the offseason, most of the remaining names carry some risk. Khan and Tomlin must be careful with their choices, but very few names in the remaining market would command large long-term contracts. Most of these players would be short-term answers to allow for greater flexibility in the April draft. 

Thanks to some shrewd wheeling and dealing, the Steelers have four picks during the draft's first two days. Pittsburgh has an additional fourth-round pick and two sixth-round draft picks on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft. Khan has massively improved his performance in free agency in 2024, so the hopes of building on a stellar 2023 draft class are sky-high. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Who do you want to see in black and gold that is left in the free agent pool? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq. 

#SteelerNation