Steelers Now
INDIANAPOLIS — With Cam Heyward turning 36 this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to start preparing for a replacement at defensive tackle. And luckily for the Steelers, this year’s draft class is loaded at the position.
The Steelers also have a boatload of cap space. They have an upwards of $60 million in salary cap space and can still increase that with a few more moves, so they could make a splash in free agency as well at defensive line. One thing is clear, they have options.
“We weren’t good enough down the stretch,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday when asked about the defensive line and overall performance of the team. “But fortunately we have the resources, from a cap standpoint to address it. Maybe (in) free agency and maybe some trade candidates out there. And the draft, this is a really good draft of the defensive line.”
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks the Steelers should be running to the podium if massive Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is available at 21st overall.
“I think Kenneth Grant, he’s got the ability and the tools to do some unique stuff, and he has not come close to scratching the surface of his potential. So, I would have no problem whatsoever if the Steelers made that pick, and I’d be pretty pumped up about it if I were a Steeler fan,” Jeremiah said during his pre-Combine press conference.
Jeremiah sees a bunch of future starters in this year’s class on the defensive line.
“Last year at this time, I had potential starter grades on 12 DT’s. This year I have 24 of them. Ridiculous amount of depth at the position in this draft class,” Jeremiah wrote on X.
Steelers president Art Rooney II also hinted during an interview with Bob Pompeani of KDKA that defensive line will be a top priority for the club.
“On the defensive line, we probably need to get younger there,” Rooney said. “We’re fortunate to have (Cam Heyward) but we may need to look to have some young blood there this year.”
The Steelers want to build through the trenches. They’ve revamped the offensive line, and now it’s time to do the same on the D-line. They want to mimic the Philadelphia Eagles, who have mastered the philosophy of winning in the trenches. That was evident in their dominating win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Milton Williams, who had a standout performance in the Super Bowl, is set to become a free agent in a few weeks. He could be a player that the Steelers have their eyes on.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
