The Steelers probably won’t bring in any more big outside free agents before the draft—or any at all, Ray Fittipaldo believes. Speaking about Pittsburgh’s plans on the North Shore Drive podcast, he believes the team is well-positioned for the draft. There might be one or two more very small signings, but the focus is now on the rookie class.
“Whatever happens now will be depth moves”, Fittipaldo said of the Steelers’ free agency plans. “I can make an argument, they might even be done until the draft. I think what you want to do now is, ‘Okay, we’ve filled most of these holes on the roster. Now let’s see what we do in the draft’. If the draft doesn’t provide a player at a certain position, then yeah, you can add a veteran in May or June”.
Since the start of free agency, the Steelers have added CB Jamel Dean, S Jaquan Brisker, WR Michael Pittman Jr., DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, RB Rico Dowdle, and OL Brock Hoffman, among others. They have re-signed some key depth pieces, such as CB Asante Samuel Jr. While OL Isaac Seumalo was a big loss without an obvious replacement, there is time to address that.
And Fittipaldo believes the Steelers can fill that hole, and others, in the draft instead of free agency. If anything, the next month will be about the very end of the roster. Beyond QB Aaron Rodgers potentially signing, of course.
“If they do not add an edge rusher in the draft, you could see a vet signing there. Just an extra body for training camp”, he said. “I think they’re gonna draft a tight end, but if the draft doesn’t fall their way and they don’t get a tight end, then they’re gonna have to go out and get a veteran there, as well”.
The Steelers lost Calvin Austin III in free agency, but Fittipaldo isn’t predicting they add another veteran. At least not before the draft, and he still expects them to add two there. If they do, they may already have their depth chart filled out.
“Right now, we’re gonna wait to see how the draft goes. Anything you see between now and then probably will be like a special teams signing”, he said. Arguably, outside of cornerback, the only real hole is at left guard, and Spencer Anderson is an option there. The Steelers don’t necessarily need to find one in free agency, though, with a solid draft class and an abundance of draft picks.
In fact, with three third-round picks and two fourth-round picks, they are in a good position to address key needs. If they have to maneuver, they can assure, for example, that they land a wide receiver, guard, safety, and tight end early. The Steelers have already gone through the free agency process, even addressing special teams. Unless a golden opportunity presents itself, they may be content to wait out the month. Not that Mike McCarthy seems to be terribly busy on the Pro Day circuit.
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