2024 Pittsburgh Steelers free agents: Targets, draft needs and more as free agency nears
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their streak of winning seasons in 2023 with a 10-7 finish and an appearance in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs. As the No. 7 seed in the AFC, the Steelers lost on the road to the Buffalo Bills.
Pittsburgh made it to the postseason despite having the 28th-ranked scoring defense in the regular season thanks to the Steelers' strong defense. That unit ranked sixth in points allowed per game behind Pro Bowlers T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh played especially well in close games, going 9-2 in one-score contests.
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The Steelers have questions at multiple positions and currently are $13.8 million over the salary cap for the 2024 season, per Over the Cap numbers. Watt, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, and Fitzpatrick are the biggest cap hits in 2024 at $30.4 million, $22.4 million, and $21.3 million, respectively.
Here's who Pittsburgh could lose in free agency:
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2024 Pittsburgh Steelers free agents
Unrestricted free agents
In order of their contract value in 2023, per Spotrac:
OT Chukwuma Okorafor
QB Mitchell Trubisky
CB Levi Wallace
DE Montravius Adams
S Miles Killebrew
LB Markus Golden
LB Kwon Alexander
CB James Pierre
DT Armon Watts
CB Chandon Sullivan
LB Blake Martinez
WR Miles Boykin
QB Mason Rudolph
LB Mykal Walker
P Pressley Harvin III
CB Elijah Riley
Restricted free agents
LB Chapelle Russell
Exclusive rights free agents
If Pittsburgh offers a tender - a one-year contract at the league minimum - to these players, they can only sign with the Steelers.
DT Renell Wren
TE Dylan Cook
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Potential Pittsburgh Steelers draft targets
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "Black and gold (or yellow, depending on your viewpoint) clearly suit DeJean just fine, as the do-everything defender demonstrated at Iowa he can be dangerous in an assortment of assignments. That's an attractive package for an underachieving Steelers defense that relied on its pass rush to mask its many deficiencies."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Kelly says: "The Steelers have publicly stated their support for Kenny Pickett, but there just isn’t much evidence that Pickett is the answer for this team. Penix will be a polarizing figure in this draft, and some will view this as a reach, but the former Washington star brings a quick, decisive style and an aggressive mentality to push the ball downfield to create explosive plays—variables that differentiate him from what the team has gotten with Pickett. This is a bet that Penix can unlock the team’s playmakers and get this offense out of its rut."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Reuter writes: "Wallace's speed and tenaciousness will be appreciated by Steelers coaches and fans after seeing the linebacker corps decimated by injuries last season."
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Sikkema says: "The Steelers got a good one in Joey Porter Jr. at the top of the second round last year, but their investment in cornerbacks must continue. Mitchell was dominant at the Senior Bowl. He is scheme-versatile in both skill and athleticism. He could easily be picked higher than this, but he will be high on Pittsburgh’s board if he makes it this far."
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Podell writes: "The Steelers could use another young corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr., with Patrick Peterson getting older and both Levi Wallace and Chandon Sullivan hitting free agency. The First-Team All-ACC will fit right into to the Pittsburgh mold at corner, standing 6-2 and weighing 185 pounds. Wiggins is a long, athletic cornerback with high-end speed. Mike Tomlin will have fun with this pick."
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When does NFL free agency begin?
Though NFL free agency technically begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, teams may begin negotiating contracts starting March 11 at noon ET. The new league year begins March 13 so teams, players, and agents can negotiate but not complete contracts until 4 p.m. ET on that day.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI
When: April 25-27, 2024
TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Stream: NFL+, ESPN+, fuboTV
How to watch: Catch this year's NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers free agents 2024: Targets, draft needs for Pittsburgh
