Steelers Mock Draft: Bailey mock offseason 2.0

What I would do in the offseason for the Steelers

The 2024 NFL season has reached its end with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Now, the NFL offseason is here and the new league year begins in roughly one month with the legal tampering period opening and free agency beginning right after.

In terms of free agency and the draft, this is what I would do if I had the pen for the Steelers.

Cut Players

• DL Larry Ogunjobi
• DL Montravius Adams
• LB Preston Smith
• LB Cole Holcomb
• RB Cordarrelle Patterson
• WR Brandon Johnson
• EDGE Eku Leota
• LB Devin Harper
• RB Evan Hull
• S Joshuah Bledsoe

Re-do contracts

• DT Cam Heyward: Restructure
• EDGE T.J. Watt: Extend

The releases, restructures, and a trade that we’ll get to shortly give the Steelers roughly $94 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. That gives them plenty of money to work with to make splash moves.

Trades

• QB Matthew Stafford
  -Trade 2025 first-round pick, 2025 fifth-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick
• WR Deebo Samuel
  -Trade fourth-round pick to San Francisco 49ers
• S Minkah Fitzpatrick
  -Receiver fifth-round pick from Washington Commanders

Where there’s smoke, there is usually fire. The Matthew Stafford news cycle is featuring a lot of not-so-subtle hints from his wife, Kelly, that a move to a new team could be coming. The Steelers should do all they can to get him.

Pittsburgh is clearly interested in Samuel, and there is mutual interest from the receiver himself. A fourth-round pick should get the job done, and the 49ers should be eating a small chunk of the salary at minimum.

As for Fitzpatrick, he is expensive and no longer in his prime. While still a good safety, the Steelers should move him to a contender for a Day Three pick and sign a talented, cheaper option.

Free Agent Signings

• DL Milton Williams (Philadelphia Eagles) - 4 years, $80 million
• CB D.J. Reed (New York Jets) - 3 years, $45 million
• WR Darius Slayton (New York Giants) - 3 years, $32 million
• S Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts - 4 years, $32 million
• CB Isaiah Oliver (New York Jets) - 2 years, $4.5 million
• QB Kyle Allen (Pittsburgh Steelers) - 1 year, $1.5 million

Milton Williams just had an amazing Super Bowl, registering two sacks on Patrick Mahomes. Building a great defensive line should be one of the top priorities for every team, especially the Steelers who need help in that department anyway.

D.J. Reed remains at the top of my wish list. He is arguably the top cornerback available, and good Lord do the Steelers need a guy like him on the perimeter. Having him as the No. 1 and making Joey Porter potentially the best No. 2 cornerback in football would go a long way for their defensive backfield.

Oliver is a...