Best landing location’ for two of the top remaining free agents is the Steelers.
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.
Before Williams’ injury, he allowed just one sack on 497 snaps played, per PFF. Plus, he is still only 26 and would give the team much more flexibility heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to tip his hand as to who he’s hoping Pittsburgh can land with its first-round pick.
Per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, Tomlin said that “after a couple centers in the draft, it will likely not be plug and play.”
Tomlin seems to be referring to are Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier, but adding Williams would allow the Steelers to take a best-player-available approach. If that happens to be a center at No. 20, so be it, but if not, they won’t feel forced to reach on one.
The second free agent Spielberger named Pittsburgh the best landing spot for is former Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
The Steelers have been in the market for a wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers and have been linked to Boyd, who grew up in Clairton, Pa., and played collegiate ball at the University of Pittsburgh.
The 29-year-old is one of the top wide receivers left on the open market and has been one of the most reliable wide receivers in the league, posting at least 50 catches and 650 receiving yards in the last six seasons.
However, the Steelers seem to be set on their price for Boyd as it looks like they are in a stalemate with him.
If Pittsburgh can wait out Boyd until he changes his mind while adding Williams in the meantime, it would cap off another strong offseason for a team with growing expectations for the 2024 season.
