The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have had a productive offseason thus far in 2024, especially when it comes to upgrading the most important position in the sport by bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Despite improving the roster in many ways, there is still a lot of work to do, specifically at center and wide receiver. Currently, George Pickens and Van Jefferson are the team's top receivers and Nate Herbig is the only true option on the roster at center.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7345-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
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Steelers' George Pickens at training camp in 2023
There are still a few free-agent receivers on the market that could make an immediate impact, such as Tyler Boyd. However, the center market has essentially been picked clean. There aren't many options that have gone unsigned this far in free agency. The Steelers obviously already needed to address both of these positions in the draft, but with the way the roster currently is put together, the organization will likely be spending their top two picks on center and receiver. Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the needs during his media availability at the NFL's annual meetings, which was reported by The Athletic's Mark Kaboly.
Tomlin said needs to be work done at center and receiver. Still options out there in free agency but believes there many WR that can come in a contribute ASAP and a handful of centers in draft. But also said after a couple centers in draft, it will likely not be plug and play
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 24, 2024
Tomlin notices that the 2024 wide receiver class is fairly deep, and believes that there are many players at the position in the range of the Steelers' selections that could make a quick impact. He also addresses that it is slim pickings at the center position, which could say that the Steelers will be putting their focus there in the first round. The Steelers have the 20th overall selection, and a center who has often been mocked to them at that spot who could be available is Jackson Powers-Johnson.
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Jackson Powers-Johnson was the leader for Oregon's offensive line in 2023, despite it being his first year starting at center.
Tomlin spoke more about the in-house option at center in Herbig. Herbig has started 30 games in his NFL career, mostly at right guard. His center experience is limited, as he played 47 snaps at the position with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 season. He shouldn't be considered a legitimate option to start the season at center, but Tomlin did address his experience at the position when talking to the media on Sunday according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.
"Obviously, we still got (Nate) Herbig on our roster, but we've got some work to do there, whether it's continued in free agency and/or the draft. We'll get something done, obviously, at that position."
Danny Wild / USA Today Sports
Brian Thomas Jr. was an excellent deep threat for the LSU Tigers, and that ability will be highly sought after in the NFL.
Steelers Have Many Options At Receiver In The 2024 NFL Draft
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