5 Valuable Free Agents The Steelers Can Still Target Who Would Be A Perfect Fit In Pittsburgh

Every passionate Pittsburgh Steelers fan has some kind of wishlist when it comes to the filling of roster holes. Whether that list was compiled through the NFL Draft or free agency, each fan has their own idea about what would make the organization into a playoff team in 2023. Ever since free agency began on March 15th, the list of players available has become less populated by the day, but that does not mean that the remaining free agents have nothing to offer the current Steelers' roster. Out of the free agents yet to sign with a team, which ones would be the best fit in Pittsburgh?

Steelers Can't Have Too Many Big Men

The offensive line has been a focus for Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office in 2023. With the valued input of Andy Weidl, several linemen have signed with the team. Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig and Le'Raven Clark are all in the Steel City. Even with all the size and skill added, the team could still look to bring in a big guy up front to help in the trenches.

It is a terribly kept secret that the Steelers have their eyes on several high-tier cornerbacks so a move that frees the team up to focus on that position would be welcome indeed. Isaiah Wynn should be an option. There are other offensive tackles left in free agency, but Wynn would not only a viable piece in the Pittsburgh puzzle, but he could also fill that gap and allow the team to wait on that perennial lineman.

In the past, a lack of aggressiveness in free agency put a large amount of weight on each draft pick, but the new offseason approach makes this move a realistic possibility. It'd be a great way to open up all options in the first two rounds.

Steelers' Wide Receiver Depth Chart Is In The Shallow End

There is good reason to feel confident in the young, dynamic pairing of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, but in an injury-filled sport, the remaining receivers inspire far less confidence. The franchise will almost certainly add a pass catcher in the upcoming draft, but Mike Tomlin will want more stability behind his top guns.

The top of the wide receiver free agency list has two big names, but both come with a great deal of wear on their bodies and high price tags (Odell Beckham Jr and Julio Jones). Instead, the Steelers could target any of three receivers that won't break the bank and have enough in the tank to prove that their time isn't over.

Kenny Gollady brings a mixture of experience and consistency. In a resurgent New York Giants offense last season, Gollady had a career-low six catches for only 81 yards and one touchdown. While that drop may be concerning, he is only a few years removed from an 11-touchdown, over-1,000-yard campaign (65 catches, 1190 yards, 11 touchdowns in 2018) and could be brought in on a comfortable one-year deal.

A name that Steeler fans should be familiar with is former Cleveland Browns receiver, Jarvis Landry. He is over the 30-year-old horizon, but he wouldn't be signed as a player to consistently be relied on. That lack of pressure is something Landry has fully experienced before and will end up opening his production and willingness to play the role needed by the team. 

In 2022, it was his first season to not get over 500 yards receiving, but as long as he can mix into the situation, a two-year deal could add a 40-catch, three-touchdown player to a needy wide receiver positional group.

The third option for the receiving core is K'Neal Harry who was once a first round draft pick. After he didn't live up to the billing, a 2022 season with the Bears has Harry at an NFL crossroads. He is only 25 years old and hasn't shown that he would be a completely negative addition, but certainly wouldn't be expected to come in and be a top contributor.

Looking at his third team in four years, the price tag will be right on par with a prove it deal, but without the added money that Landry or Golladay may ask for.

Steelers Signing For Rotation

When the Steelers added linebackers, Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb, it signaled a shift away from speedsters, Myles Jack and Devin Bush Jr. towards a more responsible, down-hill defense. In 2022, opponents found running the ball far too easy against a Steelers' defense historically known for stopping the run game. Both Roberts and Holcomb bring run-stopping traits with Holcomb being able to cover as well.

Rotating linebackers is going to be a key factor in 2023. There will be moments when the linebackers on the field will be geared toward the run, so it makes sense to bring in an experienced edge player who was never known for his run-stopping talents. Yannick Ngakoue is a well-known name, but his one-tier dynamic has pushed him into a corner that now has him looking for a new team. 

Whenever Ngakoue was put into situations where he had to be a pass rusher and run-stopper, the weaknesses in his game were more apparent. The coaching staff in Pittsburgh would love the chance to move pieces around and find that perfect rotation for a player in the latter half of his career. 

Aging NFL players usually have two options: do what they always did and hope for the best or adjust as they age and actively extend their careers. This move into black and gold would do just that for Ngakoue while giving the Steelers yet another pass rushing threat to unleash in strategic, sporadic moments.

Any of those five players would bring specific talents to the Steelers, allow for some additional flexibility in the draft and give the coaches a deeper level of game-planning that could end up making all the difference.

Who do you want Pittsburgh to go after at the end of free agency before the draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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