Under general manager Omar Khan, the Steelers are among the clubs that have been most active during the offseason. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus believes they should still be adding players to their squad.
Pittsburgh is the “best landing spot” for two of the greatest offensive free agents still available, according to Spielberger. Connor Williams, a former center for the Dolphins and Cowboys, is the first.
Williams tore his ACL in Week 14, but the Steelers would be wise to bring him on a one-year prove-it deal. They haven’t signed a center to the roster since cutting Mason Cole, the 2023 starter, earlier in the offseason.
Williams only gave up one sack on 497 plays before getting hurt, according to PFF. Furthermore, he would provide the organization a lot more flexibility going into the 2024 NFL Draft because he is still only 26 years old.
Mike Tomlin, the head coach, appeared to give away who he hopes Pittsburgh would select with its first-round pick.
Tomlin stated that “it will probably not be plug and play after a couple centers in the draft,” according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
Tomlin appears to be referring to Zach Frazier of West Virginia and Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon, but the Steelers might adopt a best-player-available strategy if they sign Williams. They won’t feel pressured to reach on one if it happens to be a center at No. 20.
Tyler Boyd, a former wide receiver for the Bengals, is the second free agent Spielberger recommended Pittsburgh as the ideal destination.
Boyd, who was raised in Clairton, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Pittsburgh for his college career, has been linked to the Steelers, who have been searching for a wide receiver since dealing Diontae Johnson to the Panthers.
With at least 50 catches and 650 receiving yards over the previous six seasons, the 29-year-old is among the best wide outs available on the market and has shown to be one of the league’s most dependable wide receivers.
But since it appears that they are at a standstill with Boyd, the Steelers appear to be determined on their price for him.
Pittsburgh would have completed another successful offseason and would have elevated expectations for the 2024 campaign if they could hold out for Boyd until he changes his mind and acquire Williams in the interim.