Steelers 2023 Offseason Should Revolve Around High Impact Playmakers According To PFF Expert

The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason in 2023 will be crucial to the future of the franchise. The Steelers found their franchise quarterback in Kenny Pickett and now have to maximize their roster while he is on his rookie contract. The organization has three top-fifty draft picks and five total picks in the first four rounds. This draft will either be the foundation for playoff success or set them back substantially.

Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus who spends most of his time evaluating the NFL draft and free agents for the website joined the PM Team/w Poni & Mueller this afternoon for his weekly appearance on the 93.7 The Fan afternoon drive show to discuss how the Steelers might approach the upcoming offseason in Pittsburgh.

“An elite quarterback on a rookie contract is the biggest advantage, and you have that in Pittsburgh with Kenny Pickett,” Palazzolo emphasized. “It just gives you so much cap flexibility, but it doesn't mean you just go crazy in free agency. You can stock up on more of those players in the four-to-eight-million-dollar range with a rookie quarterback.”

The Steelers have long employed the mid-range option in free agency and aren’t likely to depart dramatically from building through the draft and bringing in second-contract players who they feel can blossom into solid starters. The advantage of Pickett is they can seek more of those players and retain key pieces like Alex Highsmith as they approach free agency.

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Cam Sutton is one of several Steelers defenders who are entering free agency this offseason and should be a target for the Steelers to retain at a reasonable price. He may not be the most physically gifted defensive back but he can play any cornerback position well. The PFF talent evaluator gave his opinion on the former Tennessee Volunteer.

“I don’t think he is going to get top cornerback money,” Palazzalo replied to Chris Mueller about Cam Sutton. “I think his versatility is fantastic, his ability to play outside, play inside, and just a good solid corner. Above-average players are extremely valuable in the NFL.”

Palazzalo revealed a hint about the draft simulator engine that PFF makes available for fans and how to improve the draft grades when you use it. PFF has often been the target of pointed criticism for their scoring models and based on what he reveals maybe it's because they don’t pay enough attention to certain positions to grade them fairly.

“I think instant impact is receiver, then corner, then tackle,” Palazzalo continued. “I don’t think the trenches need to be ignored but you just have to be good enough on the offensive line. Skill positions make the biggest impact, that is baked into our simulator. If you take a receiver we are going to like that. I just think receiver is an impact position and the market caught up to that last year. I always think it is the playmakers who make the biggest impact.”

The question would then become; but wasn’t asked; if the Pittsburgh Steelers who were the only team to have the same offensive line start every game is considered good enough. They are young and certainly got better as the season went on, but the PFF model of stocking up on receivers and corners might get you to January football but good enough on the line didn’t work for the Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagles built a dominant defensive front that put up 68 sacks this season. Andy Weidl who helped find most of those players is now in Pittsburgh and he understands that cornerbacks play a lot better when the quarterback doesn’t have time to throw. 

TJ Watt should be available for more than half the season next year and the last few games of the season were a message to the NFL that you can block Watt or Highsmith, not both. If the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl, maybe the trenches will suddenly become a priority again in the NFL.

Receivers are important but nobody is better at finding them than the Steelers in the draft. The Steelers conversely are woeful at drafting elite defensive backs. However, the top of this draft is extremely deep at cornerback and if there is a run on wideouts and corners, a top-tier tackle could slide to Pittsburgh at 17 and one of the top ten cornerbacks in the second round. Based on their history, taking what’s left at cornerback in the second round might be the best strategy.

What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you want the sizzle or the steak during the 2023 off-season? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.