The major events of the 2023 NFL offseason are now complete. With the free agency period and the NFL Draft now behind us, we look ahead at how the Steelers roster has molded from the end of last season until now, and evaluate those changes heading toward training camp, the preseason, and the regular season.

Pittsburgh may depend on T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to get the majority of the sacks, but if there are gaping holes in the defensive line, opposing quarterbacks will escape up the middle.

The Steelers also want to be highly rated in stopping the run, especially in November and December. Games in the AFC North can be determined by an unrelenting defensive line and the ability to roll fresh bodies in and out.

The Steelers must continue to build their lines if they want to compete with the AFC’s best teams in 2023. Should they want Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes running for his life, the defensive line has to be top-notch, not subpar.

Here’s some of the changes they’ve made since 2022 to help improve this offseason.

End of Season Depth Chart

• Cameron Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Montravius Adams
• DeMarvin Leal
• Tyson Alualu
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
• Carlos Davis
• Chris Wormley

Free Agency Review

The Steelers added to the defensive line room in both free agency and the NFL draft. That’s a good thing. Hopefully, some of the free agents they signed below will pay off.

I believe Fehoko will. I am crossing my fingers because I am surprised by one of the others rising to the top.

Just because a player came via free agency doesn’t mean they can’t play, it may mean they were in the wrong system or not coached properly. It’s rare, but exceptions happen and because the Steelers have two different sets of eyes (Omar Khan and Andy Weidl) calling the shots, maybe they found value.

• Breiden Fehoko – 1 year – $940,000 – LA Chargers
• Armon Watts – 1 year – $1,092,500 – Vikings and Bears
• Jonathan Marshall – 1 year – $940,000 – Jets
• Renell Wren – IR – $475,000 – Bengals
• Manny Jones – 1 year – $870,000 – Cardinals

NFL Draft Review

I am excited about the 2nd round pick Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin. In almost any other year, this pick wouldn’t be overshadowed.

At 6″4′ and 309 pounds he could be the replacement for Cam Heyward someday.

Post-Draft Position Roster

• Cameron Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Montravius Adams
• DeMarvin Leal
• Keeanu Benton
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
• Breiden Fehoko
• Armon Watts
• Jonathan Marshall
• Renell Wren

Position Review

With Benton and DeMarvin Leal the Steelers have some of the new building blocks for a solid defensive line. Note, I did not mention Isaiahh Loudermilk because he has been nothing but a disappointment to me.

Armon Watts has played fours years in the NFL and even though he isn’t a candidate for the Hall of Fame, he has posted some decent numbers. James Nyamwaya is a rookie from Merrimack College who may be a long shot, but he impresses when you look at his college tape. 

I believe at the end of training camp the defensive linemen standing will be:

• Cam Heyward
• Larry Ogunjobi
• Keeanu Benton
• Montravius Adams
• DeMarvin Leal
• Breiden Fehoko
• Armon Watts

The reserves will be Isaiahh Loudermilk and James Nyamwaya. That would be a solid defensive line. 

Training camp will be fun to watch as some players establish their desire to be on the team, or not. If Loudermilk is going to remain with the Steelers he must stand out and become a solid performer who can be counted on. (Getting Chris Wormley to play another year, if healthy, wouldn’t be a bad thing either.)