With free agency opening in a week, there are a few positions in particular the Steelers should address, Brian Batko argues. They are not earth-shattering choices, but then again, obvious needs are what you probably should address. While he once again makes the case for QB Malik Willis, however, he doesn’t think they’ll do it. So what positions should they address?
Asked which positions the Steelers might want to address in free agency versus the draft, Batko pointed out their abundance of draft picks this year. “They probably could afford to infuse some youth at just about every position”, he wrote. “But it also might make sense to go with a proven commodity at spots like guard (if Isaac Seumalo isn’t back), wide receiver, defensive line and safety. And, obviously, quarterback”.
Wide receiver is the glaring need everyone will point out for the Steelers. Last year’s strategy clearly did not work out, and even the DK Metcalf move wasn’t a smashing success. While some believe they need to draft multiple receivers, another veteran would make sense, too.
Separately, Batko did offer one potential wide receiver the Steelers could target in free agency. “I like Romeo Doubs from Green Bay, which has a plethora of other receivers coming back”, he wrote, “but he might get pretty good money. He’s 6-2, still 25 and has 23 career touchdown catches in four seasons”.
Doubs himself has said that he doesn’t want to leave Green Bay, which would have the Steelers searching elsewhere. At the very least, it could raise the price tag, which they may be reluctant to do. Especially in light of their other potential needs.
Some, however, might require some contextualizing. Take the potential need at guard, for example. With Isaac Seumalo entering free agency, the Steelers need to add somebody to the books unless Spencer Anderson takes over. So if it’s not re-signing Seumalo, they could add a different veteran guard.
Safety is another interesting position for the Steelers, too, who added there in both free agency and trade. One of their trade acquisitions, Kyle Dugger, is a free agent himself, whom they can re-sign. That depends on what they want to do with Jalen Ramsey, however, who could return to cornerback. With DeShon Elliott returning, they only need one other starting safety.
The defensive line is an obvious choice in free agency as the Steelers continue to rebuild that unit. With Cam Heyward hastening toward retirement, they don’t have a lot of the future line firmed up. Derrick Harmon is in place, but he is the only lock. Keeanu Benton is a definite possibility, and could sign an extension this offseason. While they might like Yahya Black, is he a starter?
And of course, the Steelers will need to use free agency for depth, too, not just for starters. Last year, they signed a wide variety of players, including Aaron Rodgers, Kenneth Gainwell, Daniel Ekuale, Esezi Otomewo, Malik Harrison, and Juan Thornhill. In a good position cap-wise this offseason, what are the Steelers’ plans for Mike McCarthy’s first free agency period?
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