The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the throws of roster building season, and they enter it with a good foundation of playmakers on both sides of the ball.  TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward anchor a group that finished 2023 as the 6th best scoring defense in football. On offense, the rushing combo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren turned into a top tier duo in the league, while pass catchers like George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth are just waiting to be unleashed in a real offensive system.

Obviously, there are some holes in the roster at this stage of the offseason, and we all know the team’s top needs. Outside of the much-discussed quarterback situation, positions like center, cornerback, linebacker, safety, and offensive tackle are at the top of most “Team Needs” charts across the media landscape.

But what are some of the positions that are “sneaky” areas of need for Pittsburgh?

Let’s take a look at 3 position groups where the Steelers could use a significant addition this offseason if they want to compete in the AFC North in 2024.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

It’s not getting the hype of some of the other areas of need for this team, but the Steelers are quietly in a bind along the defensive front. Cam Heyward is 34 years old and coming off two groin repair surgeries from injuries incurred this last season. When healthy, he’s still a force on the interior, but it’s getting harder to count on Cam’s availability at this stage of his career. 2nd-year stud Keeanu Benton is ready for a bigger role after proving his worth in his Rookie season. Outside of those two, it’s a lot of unknowns. Larry Ogunjobi has a big contract and is a cut candidate. Montravius Adams is a free agent. That leaves you with Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal as your only depth pieces with experience. DL has to be a priority for the Steelers this offseason in both Free Agency and the Draft.

WIDE RECEIVER

Diontae Johnson is entering the final year of his contract, and it’s not a guarantee that his play style is a fit in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme. Former WR3 Allen Robinson is almost a lock to be cut at his cap hit, leaving the team with only Johnson, superstar-in-the-making George Pickens, and 3rd-year deep threat Calvin Austin as the viable guys on the roster. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers spend a relatively high pick on a receiver in this draft class (maybe one of their back-to-back 4th round picks).

RUNNING BACK

With both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren entering the final year of their Rookie deals, the offensive backfield is actually a sneaky need for Pittsburgh this offseason if the team is looking towards the future. The Steelers can, and likely will, exercise Najee’s 5th-Year option this offseason, but still, it’s been apparent that Najee is at his best when he shares the backfield with a dynamic change-of-pace counterpart like Warren. If the Steelers don’t address Warren’s contract this offseason, then they could be in the market to add a RB late in the draft or via UDFA.