To Reach Kenny Pickett’s Full Potential, the Steelers Need to Focus on These Three Players in the Offseason
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have a solid foundation built around Kenny Pickett, but the overall results have not shown that in 2023.
The franchises seems headed for some change in the offseason, especially if the last-ditch quarterback change to Mason Rudolph in place of the injured Pickett fails.
Pittsburgh’s roster contains two No. 1 running backs in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and two No. 1 wide outs in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
The depth around those players is lacking, and that makes it easy for opponents to cover the stars in most games.
Mike Tomlin and his staff need to build out a more robust offensive depth chart in the offseason to help Pickett maximize his potential in a vital third year for the quarterback.
Curtis Samuel
The Steelers have no need to be in the No. 1 wide receiver free-agent market, but they do need to find an upgrade to the failed Allen Robinson trade.
Robinson has not done much to support Johnson and Pickens and that has turned out to be one of the many weaknesses of the Steelers’ offense.
Curtis Samuel would be the perfect player to plug into the No. 3 role behind Pittsburgh’s two stars.
Samuel has 549 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Washington Commanders this season. He is 51 yards away from his fourth 600-yard campaign in five years.
Samuel is a possession-based wide out who can break out for some long gains and has a nose for the end zone.
Other teams in need of wide receiver depth will be after Samuel as well, but the Steelers should do everything they can to add him so that the passing game has three truly dangerous wide receivers.
Noah Brown
Noah Brown is more of an under-the-radar free-agent target for the Steelers.
Brown put together consecutive 500-yard seasons and he has been a huge help to the Houston Texans offense recently with Nico Collins and Tank Dell out injured.
Brown’s 2023 performances proved he can be a strong asset in any type of offense. He had a career season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.
Brown is a more physical wide out than Samuel and could fit the Steelers depth chart better because he is not afraid to go across the middle.
The 27-year-old could be utilized on third down and in red-zone situations because of his 6’2″, 215-pound frame.
Johnson has had plenty of success with Pittsburgh across the middle, but Brown brings something different with his strength and that could aid Pickett in key situations when his No. 1 target is occupied by multiple defenders.
Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings could be one of those players who breaks out with a career year after signing a free-agent deal.
Jennings only has 963 receiving yards over three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers because he sits behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the depth chart.
The 49ers can’t pay every one of their key contributors, so Jennings may be allowed to find a larger role in free agency without a competitive offer from the current NFC leader.
Jennings thrived in the No. 3 role with the 49ers and he could redefine that position with the Steelers.
A 500-yard season with multiple touchdowns could happen for the 27-year-old, and he may come at a cheaper price than other free-agent wide receivers because of his diminished stat totals.
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