With the NFL annual meeting in the rearview mirror, the Steelers' attention has abruptly shifted to preparing for the draft.
The next three weeks are the home stretch to the marquee event of the offseason. The pro day tours are wrapping up soon, and the Steelers have already turned things up a notch regarding their 30 allotted pre-draft visits, hosting eight players on Thursday and Friday. Among those players are Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, both potential first-round picks.
The draft is less than three weeks away. This time of year, the Steelers usually stop doing business in free agency. They're not opposed to signing somebody, especially if a player of interest can be had for a deal they can't refuse. Omar Khan will certainly monitor the market, but between now and the draft, expect him to be more reactive than proactive on that front.
There is a practical reason for this approach. First, and probably most obvious, draft work is kicked into overdrive now. There will be more pre-draft meetings with players, and there will be countless meetings amongst many in the front office working diligently to be fully prepared once Day 1 of the draft arrives.
Second, the Steelers can benefit quite a bit from holding off on doing business with free agents. Starting the Monday after the conclusion of the draft, any free agent signed will not factor into the compensatory pick formula for next year. Currently, OverTheCap.com projects the Steelers to receive the maximum of four compensatory picks in 2026 -- a third-round pick for the loss of Dan Moore Jr., a fourth-round pick for Justin Fields, a fifth-round pick for Russell Wilson and a sixth-round pick for losing James Daniels. If the team waits to add any more free agents until after the draft, that number stands a good chance of being locked in.
There are still variables in play that could change the number of compensatory picks. The formula is very convoluted, but playing time and compensation are key drivers in the number of picks and in which round they are given. Should the Steelers wait to add any free agents until after the draft and those four players all log a healthy number of snaps in 2025, the better the chance the Steelers receive all of those picks.
In addition, there's even a chance Fields could turn into a third-round pick with enough playing time and good performance. The same can be said for Wilson, who can earn as much as $21.5 million through all of the incentives in his contract. The more money he makes and the better he plays, the better the comp pick will be for the Steelers.
Also very notable here: Signing Aaron Rodgers does not factor into the comp pick formula, regardless of when he signs. Only free agents that played through the full terms of their previous contract are factored, not players that were released.
Again, not saying the Steelers won't add a free agent between now and the Monday following the draft. But, knowing Khan's outlook for the future, I expect the next wave of signings in free agency to be put on hold for the time being.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:19 pm - 04.05.2025DowntownFull steam toward the draft
With the NFL annual meeting in the rearview mirror, the Steelers' attention has abruptly shifted to preparing for the draft.
The next three weeks are the home stretch to the marquee event of the offseason. The pro day tours are wrapping up soon, and the Steelers have already turned things up a notch regarding their 30 allotted pre-draft visits, hosting eight players on Thursday and Friday. Among those players are Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, both potential first-round picks.
The draft is less than three weeks away. This time of year, the Steelers usually stop doing business in free agency. They're not opposed to signing somebody, especially if a player of interest can be had for a deal they can't refuse. Omar Khan will certainly monitor the market, but between now and the draft, expect him to be more reactive than proactive on that front.
There is a practical reason for this approach. First, and probably most obvious, draft work is kicked into overdrive now. There will be more pre-draft meetings with players, and there will be countless meetings amongst many in the front office working diligently to be fully prepared once Day 1 of the draft arrives.
Second, the Steelers can benefit quite a bit from holding off on doing business with free agents. Starting the Monday after the conclusion of the draft, any free agent signed will not factor into the compensatory pick formula for next year. Currently, OverTheCap.com projects the Steelers to receive the maximum of four compensatory picks in 2026 -- a third-round pick for the loss of Dan Moore Jr., a fourth-round pick for Justin Fields, a fifth-round pick for Russell Wilson and a sixth-round pick for losing James Daniels. If the team waits to add any more free agents until after the draft, that number stands a good chance of being locked in.
There are still variables in play that could change the number of compensatory picks. The formula is very convoluted, but playing time and compensation are key drivers in the number of picks and in which round they are given. Should the Steelers wait to add any free agents until after the draft and those four players all log a healthy number of snaps in 2025, the better the chance the Steelers receive all of those picks.
In addition, there's even a chance Fields could turn into a third-round pick with enough playing time and good performance. The same can be said for Wilson, who can earn as much as $21.5 million through all of the incentives in his contract. The more money he makes and the better he plays, the better the comp pick will be for the Steelers.
Also very notable here: Signing Aaron Rodgers does not factor into the comp pick formula, regardless of when he signs. Only free agents that played through the full terms of their previous contract are factored, not players that were released.
Again, not saying the Steelers won't add a free agent between now and the Monday following the draft. But, knowing Khan's outlook for the future, I expect the next wave of signings in free agency to be put on hold for the time being.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!