PITTSBURGH– The Pittsburgh Steelers were winners over draft weekend. GM Omar Khan stood pat with his selections and didn’t give up any assets to move up. Even so, the Steelers managed to draft players expected to go higher in the draft and fill holes on their team. They strengthened multiple positions of need, especially the offensive line. Due to their performance, pundits around the league rightly praised the 2024 Steelers’ draft class

With their impressive draft and offseason moves, the Steelers’ offense is poised for a rebound year. Their quarterback room is totally revamped with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields stepping in. Their running back duo is tops in the league. Pat Freiermuth is looking to stay healthy and re-assert himself as a threat. Their offensive line is going from replacement level to brimming with potential. Everything on that side of the ball feels improved.

And then there is the wide receiver position. While the organization gave a vote of confidence to the current ones on the roster prior to the draft, it feels glaringly obvious that this position will hold the offense back. The current wide receiver room consists of de facto number one George Pickens, unproven youngster Calvin Austin III, two depth veterans in Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins, and newly drafted Roman Wilson.

Perhaps this is too critical, but nothing about that group will intimidate opposing defenses and defensive coordinators. If Calvin Austin III can continue improving, he could force defenses to give him respect, but he’s not there yet. Similarly, Jefferson and Watkins have big play potential now and then, but they aren’t consistent enough to warrant further attention. Roman Wilson has yet to catch a pass in the NFL. Put it all together, and Pittsburgh’s aerial attack has one real option to defend: Pickens.

The Steelers have made it clear that they are committed to running the ball and protecting their quarterback. They will rely on a physical offensive line. and their potent pair of running backs to establish their tempo and open up the passing game. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith excels with run dominant offenses, like he did in Tennessee during his last OC position, and that should be the same for Pittsburgh this upcoming season.

The only problem with that is Russell Wilson, or Justin Fields will need more than the double-covered George Pickens to throw to. If they want to have an offense that can hurt the defense in multiple ways, they need another weapon on the outside to throw to. The Steelers may not admit it publicly, but the wide receiver position is now their biggest area of need.

With the amount of veteran receivers linked to Pittsburgh over the draft process, it feels like the Steelers aren’t quite done adding to their room. Whether that comes via trade or adding a player once camp opens, the Steelers need to address their biggest positional need before the season begins.

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With the No. 98 pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected NC State LB Payton Wilson. If you watched any amount of his tape, or looked into his impressive collection of college accolades, it was a surprising tumble into the late third round of the draft. Some analysts have pretty strongly stated their opinion that he is a first-round talent that slid due to injury concerns with his extensive history.

As head coach Mike Tomlin does with every player, he called Wilson to let him know that he was being selected by the Steelers.

“I just loved the process, man. We got a chance to meet you in Mobile, and then we brought you in here. That’s just how we work,” Tomlin said in a video posted on the Steelers’ website.

The Steelers had Wilson in for a pre-draft visit, but they also spent time with him at the Senior Bowl in late January as one of the first steps in the process. If his meetings with Tomlin and the Steelers were anything like his interviews with the media at the combine, I am sure Tomlin came away impressed, as I was.

Tomlin was asked in his post-draft press conference if he just goes where he wants and talks to whoever he wants in Mobile and said, “pretty much.”

He is one of the most involved coaches in Mobile, often being right in the middle of a drill, and interacting with as many players as possible. He would have gained great exposure to Wilson both on the practice field and in the meetings they hold with teams after practice.

“I wanna make every play,” Wilson told me in Mobile. “If we play 90 snaps, I wanna make 90 tackles and I’m not coming off the field.”

He also talked extensively about his conditioning and nutrition, and was an open book about his injury history and how he feels he has overcome it. He came off very humble, but very focused on football and doing whatever it takes to be the best player he can be.

Wilson had a solid showing at the practices during the Senior Bowl. He landed on Daniel Jeremiah’s top-10 winners from the week of practice. His athleticism was evident as he stuck with running backs and tight ends in the coverage drills really well. He told me anything below a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and he would be happy. He set that goal and accomplished it with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

“This is, it’s not a lightning strike,” Tomlin told Wilson. “You are our type of guy, and we’re glad it worked out, man. We’re just excited about getting you up here, and the big thing is we just wanna wish congratulations to you and your family.”

He has a great opportunity ahead of him with Cole Holcomb’s status still unknown working his way back from injury. Elandon Roberts isn’t under contract past 2024, so alongside Patrick Queen he has as good a shot as any to be a starter moving forward.

The announcement of Mr. Irrelevant is not where the NFL Draft process really ends. After the last pick, many players are signed by teams after going undrafted. Though most of these players are training camp bodies who ultimately don’t make the team, some gems pop up every year out of the group of undrafted players. Following their stellar draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed five undrafted free agents. In order, here is how likely each of these five players are to make the Steelers roster.

How Likely Pittsburgh Steelers Undrafted Free Agents Are to Make Roster

1. Beanie Bishop – DB, West Virginia

Of all five Steelers undrafted free agents, Bishop is head and shoulders the most likely to make the team. While Pittsburgh had a great draft, they didn’t do anything to address their need at slot cornerback. They will probably sign a slot-capable veteran, but Bishop could fill that role perfectly for them. Bishop was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. He is the embodiment of a playmaker, totaling four interceptions and 67 tackles last year. Bishop is very solid in run support, too, which the Steelers always expect of their nickel cornerbacks. Pittsburgh will sign another cornerback, but Bishop will compete in training camp with a real shot of making the roster.

2. Julius Welschof – EDGE, Charlotte

After Bishop, there is a fall-off in probability of any undrafted free agents making the Steelers’ final roster. Julius Welschof, the German-born defensive end, has a shot, though. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are of course the Steelers starting edge rushers, and Nick Herbig is third in the rotation. After Herbig, though, the fourth spot is up for grabs. The team did not re-sign Markus Golden this offseason, who was a productive depth piece for them last year. Welschof is a good athlete who has a chance to compete for a depth spot on the team.

3. John Rhys Plumlee – QB, UCF

Plumlee is an intriguing prospect due to his position versatility. He is a quarterback who also played wide receiver (and baseball at UCF, interestingly). A move back to receiver seemed in the cards for Plumlee if he had a shot of making the NFL, but the Steelers announced his signing as a quarterback. At that position, he’s fighting an uphill battle to pass Kyle Allen for the QB3 roster spot. However, due to his strong athleticism and versatility, Pittsburgh could give him a look as a Taysom Hill-type of player. It’s unlikely, but once he gets to training camp, the Steelers might like Plumlee as a gadget and special teams guy. That, not quarterback, is his best chance of making the roster.

4. Daijun Edwards – RB, Georgia

The leading running back for one of the nation’s best teams, Daijun Edwards didn’t hear his name called during the draft. He probably won’t make the Steelers roster, either. They have their top three running backs. Edwards is a prime candidate for the practice squad, though. With running backs at an increased risk of injury, he would be a good extra piece to have if needed. He won’t break tackles like Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren do. But he’s respectable in the passing game, both as a receiver and blocker, which are two positive traits to have.

5. Jacoby Windmon – LB, Michigan State

Jacoby Windmon is by far the least likely of the Steelers’ undrafted free agents to ultimately make the roster. His biggest roadblock is the Steelers having five linebackers on the team already. They made a huge move in free agency by signing 2023 second-team All-Pro selection Patrick Queen. Elandon Roberts and Cole Holecomb return from last year. Payton Wilson was just drafted in the third round by the Steelers and will be a key contributor. And Mark Robinson sits behind them all as a special teams player and run-stuffing depth piece. It’s just very tough to see Windmon finding himself a spot in the rotation.

Main Image:  Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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