The Pittsburgh Steelers may be in the middle of the 2026 season, but that won’t stop General Manager Omar Khan from trying to bolster the team in any way he can. They entered the year thinking they were loaded with depth, but the best plans typically can go awry. Khan did add a couple of cornerbacks off of other teams’ practice squads, but he likely knows that’s not enough. Even if both of them suddenly break out in Pittsburgh, the phone lines will always be open with available players.Â
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
1: Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback
The main problem with Adoree’ Jackson throughout his career is the sheer number of injuries he’s had to deal with. Whenever he is healthy, he is a high-quality cornerback that can at least slow down starting-caliber receivers. At this point, he would be a steal as a depth cornerback and potential mentor for someone like Daylen Everette. The former first-round pick still likely has something left in the tank.Â
Jackson has allowed a 59.1% completion percentage against throughout his eight-year career. In 2025, he gave up a 62.7% completion percentage against, so it’s not even like he was bad in his latest stint. Even if he is just a backup in Pittsburgh, he will likely be a player that helps the coaching staff feel comfortable, whether he’s in as a rotational piece or forced to start due to more injuries.
2: Logan Wilson, Linebacker
Through four weeks, the Steelers’ linebacker room has been very underwhelming. They need someone to come in and give them a spark, and former division rival Logan Wilson has that ability. He can be used as a zone defender in the middle of the field or someone to help fill a gap in the run game. Either way, Pittsburgh clearly needs help at off-ball linebacker, or else teams will be able to keep running all over the defense.Â
Wilson has recorded over 100 tackles in four of the last five seasons, including 2024, where he racked up 104 in just 11 games. The hope would be that he still has some explosiveness at age 30, even if he just checks in as a depth piece. Having him on the field for roughly one-third of the snaps should be enough to not only provide some help, but also light a fire under the two starters that are competing for contracts in 2026.
3: Khalen Saunders, Defensive Tackle
The Steelers don’t seem to be very comfortable with their rookie defensive linemen based on the fact that neither of them were active on game day through four weeks. Now that Derrick Harmon has landed on Injured Reserve (IR), there is help needed there.
Like with linebacker, Pittsburgh needs help with stopping the run between the tackles due to the aforementioned injury. They need a big body that can come in on first down and short-yardage situations to close up a gap or two.
That’s where Khalen Saunders comes in. He has made a career off of being that big body that can shut down the interior gaps as a run defender. He doesn’t need to be on the field every snap to have an impact, as the former Super Bowl champion has always been an underrated piece of defensive lines. Someone has to be willing to do the dirty work to help everyone else out.
Steelers May Want To Bring A Familiar Face Back
4: James Daniels, Guard
While the Steelers are starting to improve on the offensive line, there is a severe lack of depth all over the place. For a few years, James Daniels was a key piece to the unit for Pittsburgh with how stable and reliable he was. Unfortunately, injuries cost him the previous two seasons, but if he can stay healthy, he would likely be welcomed with open arms back at his old stomping ground.Â
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers guard James Daniels walks on the field at St. Vincent College as the team practices during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Between Gennings Dunker going on IR and Spencer Anderson struggling at right guard while also suffering a broken leg, there is no reliable option on the team in case either of the starters go down. The Steelers desperately need a veteran that can come in and play as needed in case worse comes to worst. If Daniels can get back to being constantly healthy, he can be that guy.
What do you think about the Steelers’ potential free agent options at this point in the season? Who would you want them to sign? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.