DeCastro is in the final year of his deal. I thought he would have been extended by now to make more cap room, but if they plan to let him walk then Guard could be a target in rounds 3/4.
If the Steelers draft based on positions that aren't yet filled for 2022:
- QB - 0 QBs under contract for 2022, but Haskins is a RFA if he ends up showing anything.
- RB - Snell and MacFarland are under contract for 2022, but obviously RB could use an upgrade.
- WR - Claypool and Diontae under contract for 2022, still need 3 more WRs.
- TE - Gentry only TE under contract for 2022, need 1-2 TEs.
- OT - Banner and Haeg under contract for 2022, need 1-2 OTs
- G - Dotson under contract for 2022, need 1-2 guards.
- C - 0 under contract for 2022.
- DE and NT - Locked down for 2022, including depth.
- OLB - Only Highsmith signed for 2022, if they don't extend TJ Watt before the season starts it's a huge mistake for the team. Need at least 2 OLBs for depth/compete with Highsmith.
- ILB - Bush and Gilbert signed for 2022, and Spillane is a RFA. Need 1 for depth/compete for starter role.
- CB - Sutton, Layne, and James Pierre signed for 2022. I think they need at least 1-2 CBs, but Pierre played more and more down the stretch for the Steelers at the end of last year, it's possible that they like him enough to only need 1 CB.
- S - Only Minkah signed for 2022, they need a strong safety to replace Edmunds.
- ST - Only Bos signed for 2022, need a long snapper and P. They probably try out some UDFAs but resign Canaday.
So, if we don't extend anyone, we need 2 QBs, 1 RB, 3 WRs, 2 TEs, 1-2 OTs, 3 IOL (G/C), 0 DE/DT, 2 OLB, 1 ILB, 2-3 DBs. And that's just to fill holes mostly, not to improve upon the existing talent at each position.
The point is, even if positions look ok right now, we have a ton of spots that will be vacant in 2022, so don't be surprised by pretty much any position. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a fair amount of extensions after the draft. The Steelers could be waiting to see who falls to them and then extend players at positions where they weren't able to fill needs.