Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus recently laid out a dream scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, it involves signing free-agent cornerback D.J. Reed and drafting Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in the first round.
If the Steelers can land both, it certainly would bolster two major weaknesses on their roster.
"Pittsburgh needs more top-end talent at the skill positions to round out its roster — along with a passer — and snagging two natural fits in spots of need would pay off massively. Reed would provide a natural fit in the Steelers' single-high defense, having run a significant rate of closed coverages in his time in New York," Cameron wrote.
"Burden himself is a natural playmaker out of the slot who excels with the ball in his hands. The Steelers generated only 586 yards after the catch from receivers in 2024, ranking 31st in the NFL, so the Mizzou standout would provide that explosive after-the-catch ability this offense is sorely lacking."
Reed is PFF's No. 6 overall free agent and their top ranked corner . Cornerback is considered a top need for the Steelers this offseason , especially as cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton declined late in the year, and are among the team's 24 pending free agents.
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri Athletics
Reed enters free agency after notching his sixth straight season with an overall grade above 70.0, according to PFF.
Reed, 28, was a fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. After two years in San Francisco, he was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks and surpassed Quinton Dunbar in the starting lineup. He initially received playing time due an injury by Dunbar, but the coaching staff was so impressed with Reed's play that they kept him as a starter.
On March 17, 2022, Reed cashed in with a three-year, $33 million contract with the New York Jets . After a banner year in 2024, it's expected that Reed will get a nice payday in this year's free agency cycle.
"In 2024, he recorded a 51.28% lockdown rate , continuing a trend of standout play that defined his time in New York, where he ranked in the 91st percentile among outside cornerbacks over three seasons," Cameron wrote.
Over The Cap 's estimate of $272.5 million would give the Steelers over $53 million in salary cap space as they move forward into the offseason. So the Steelers have the cap space to make a splash and sign Reed.
In its latest mock draft, Pro Football Network has the Steelers taking the Missouri receiver in the first round at 21st overall. Burden and George Pickens would give the Steelers a nice 1-2 punch at the wide receiver position.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers need an offensive overhaul, and that goes for almost every position other than tight end," Pro Football Network wrote. "They will likely need a new quarterback, but their value is not right at this spot. The offensive line might also be the way to go here after the unit ranked 24th last season, but getting a reliable weapon for their new quarterback also has to be a priority for this team."
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