Tim Benz: Our annual 'What the Steelers didn't get in the draft' recap

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are basking in the sunset of a draft that is largely deserving of applause — and here I come with your yearly rain cloud of discontent.

It’s my annual I don’t want to write it, you don’t want to hear it, but someone has to say it, draft-ending, “Here’s what the Steelers didn’t get” column.

It’s the food stain on your recently dry-cleaned shirt pocket, the one groomsman with his fly down in every wedding photo, the scuff you notice on your new car the first time you fill it up with gas.

Not every draft can be perfect. Not every need can be filled. And for as much as everyone loved the first two days of this year’s effort by the Steelers, here are some potholes they still need to patch between now and when the season starts in September.

Because, really, what’s a Steelers offseason without something to worry about, and what’s Pittsburgh without potholes?

A starter opposite George Pickens at wide receiver: It’s great that the Steelers spent three picks on the offensive line. That should lead to more pass protection for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields.

I just want to know who they are going to target on those passes.

If Pickens isn’t a true NFL No. 1 wide receiver yet, he’s close. He’s clearly the Steelers’ No. 1, though. What is even more clear is they still don’t have a No. 2.

If third-rounder Roman Wilson (Michigan) proves polished enough to contribute as a rookie, maybe he can emerge as a No. 3. Unfortunately, between Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson, none of those players had more than 20 catches last year.

No one operated out of three-wide receiver sets less frequently than new coordinator Arthur Smith did when he was the head coach in Atlanta last season. But the Steelers still need a third legit threat at the position between now and when the ball is kicked off in a few months.

“We’ll see,” general manager Omar Khan said about adding a veteran receiver. “If there is ever an opportunity to improve the team, we are going to look at it. If it makes sense, we are going to go after it.”

Many believed restructuring Alex Highsmith’s contract was done with an eye toward acquiring Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Courtland Sutton or any other wide receiver who has been tossed around as a possible target for Khan. If that’s true, such a move has yet to manifest.

That doesn’t mean it won’t. Here’s to hoping it eventually does before the end of training camp.

Significant help at defensive back: The Steelers had four glaring needs coming into the draft: center, receiver, defensive back and quality youth along the defensive line.

With the talent and depth available at tackle, I certainly endorse shooting for an upgrade by drafting highly touted Troy Fautanu at No. 20 in the first round. Center (Zach Frazier) and wide receiver (Roman Wilson) were addressed next.

I like third-rounder Payton Wilson (N.C. State) as a player, and a third inside linebacker is necessary until a read on Cole Holcomb’s health is known. I get that pick, even though it wasn’t expected.

However, when the decision was made to triple down on the O-line by drafting guard Mason McCormick in the fourth round, no defensive back was going to be selected by the Steelers until the sixth round’s second overall pick at the earliest.

Presuming you are going to get a quality NFL cornerback or slot cover guy that late on Day 3 is a wild leap of faith. So unless the Steelers have found a true diamond in the rough in Ryan Watts (sixth round, No. 195), they better start working the phones to address the lack of numbers in the defensive backfield.

Seven players who got defensive snaps from that unit last season are currently not on the roster. It’s safe to wonder if Khan may be calling on the likes of Chandon Sullivan, Patrick Peterson and Keanu Neal to see if they want to come back.

“They’re not a part of the team right now. So, until they’re a part of the team, we have to look at every avenue to try to improve the position and add competition and address the needs,” Khan said Monday.

Two players who might aid the cause on the outside are Cory Trice and Darius Rush. That’s if they get healthy in 2024. Plus, neither of them are true slot players. That’s where the Steelers need the most help.

Youth along the defensive line: This wasn’t addressed until pick No. 178 (sixth round) with Iowa’s Logan Lee.

Keeanu Benton was drafted to help in this regard last year. He’s promising. Aside from him, there is a void here.

The club is still waiting for Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal to warrant more time. Armon Watts signed with New England. Cameron Heyward is entering the last year of his contract. The franchise will save $7 million in cap space if they move on from Larry Ogunjobi before 2025 starts.

I’d like to see the team use Breiden Fehoko more this year as a run-stuffer now that they brought him back. Dean Lowry was signed to offset the departure of Watts, but he’s already 29.

I understand why the defensive line couldn’t be a major point of emphasis this offseason, but it might be the biggest point of emphasis next offseason.

That said, defensive line coach Karl Dunbar says Lee may help out sooner than his status as a sixth-round project may suggest since he checks some important boxes.

“Are they fundamentally sound? Can they take coaching? Those are some of the things we saw from Logan when we watched the film,” Dunbar said. “He’s a strong-handed big man, and I think he is very mature.”

An obvious fourth outside linebacker: Rookie Nick Herbig flashed at times in a reserve edge role last year. My hope is Markus Golden eventually comes back from free agency to be the other backup to T.J. Watt and Highsmith.

Golden was decent enough at that job in 2023, racking up four sacks and a fumble recovery. If that doesn’t happen, though, the acquisition of Jeremiah Moon from the Baltimore Ravens better be worthwhile, or they need to find another veteran before camp breaks.

LISTEN: Tim Benz, Joe Rutter and Chris Adamski take a look at the Steelers’ 2024 NFL Draft Class.