Steelers named ‘best landing spot’ for two of top remaining free agents

The Steelers have been one of the most active teams this offseason under general manager Omar Khan. Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger doesn’t think they should be done adding to their roster yet.

Spielberger named Pittsburgh the “best landing spot” for two of the top remaining offensive free agents. The first is former Dolphins and Cowboys center Connor Williams.

Williams tore his ACL in Week 14, but adding him on a prove-it, one-year deal makes a ton of sense for the Steelers, who have not added a center to their roster since releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this 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.