Ok The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed many positions of need in the 2021 NFL Draft, however there were some positions that the team could have added more depth for competition to during the draft that they chose to pass on. I don’t disagree with how the Steelers addressed their needs in the draft, but teams should always be looking to improve and the team still has an opportunity to improve the roster this offseason before the season actually gets underway.
Let’s take a look at five remaining available free agents the Steelers could still add to improve the roster before the 2022 season.
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Yeah, Houston may be 33, but on pass rushing downs especially, he could be a very solid addition to spell TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith! Who would be a better 3rd OLB than Houston? Last season, Houston suited up for AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens and had a productive year as a 3rd option at the position. In 2021, Houston tallied 4.5 sacks, 34 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and led the Ravens’ defense with 17 QB hits. He might be on the back 9 of his career, but Houston can still be productive. The Steelers need to add depth to the OLB position.
Eric Fisher
Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Eric Fisher (79) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
ESPN predicted the Steelers will sign Fisher this past week. Fisher would be great competition to add to the offensive line room. Dan Moore Jr. showed at times that he could be the left tackle of the future, but the tackle also had his struggles. Chukwuma Okorafor struggled last season at the right tackle position, but with the Steelers not selecting a tackle with any of their selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, the team could be confident in both players at their respective positions. If the team wants to add competition to either position, they should look into adding a player like Fisher. He has been stellar in the run game for most of his career and it looks more and more obvious with each passing day that the offensive will look to lean heavily on the run game.
Riley Reiff
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Riley Reiff gets set during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, October 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. | AP/Jim Mone
Another tackle the Steelers should look into signing is Reiff. He spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals and played over 700 snaps in 12 games. Reiff is another tackle that has been pretty dominant in the run game over his career. He may be on the wrong side of 30 now, but he could be another player that could be beneficial to the teams' rushing attack next season. Reiff did miss five games due to injury last season. However, if he is able to rehab and recover, he could be great competition at the right tackle spot.
Jerick McKinnon
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 20: Running back Jerick McKinnon #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores on a one-yard touchdown reception ahead of linebacker Zeke Turner #47 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 20, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 17-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Steelers are in need of a RB2 to spell Najee Harris next season. McKinnon spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He gave the team plenty of reasons to sign him in last season's Wild-Card matchup when the running back totaled 142 scrimmage yards against the Steelers. McKinnon would be a great change of pace running back, who can be just as productive in the passing game as he is in the running game. The Steelers need a RB2 and they should look no further than McKinnon.
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The Steelers need a TE2 behind dynamic Pat Freiermuth. Eric Ebron is still a free agent, but the Steelers should look in another direction for depth behind Freiermuth. Jarwin is a player that can attack the middle of the field and he's also not afraid to get down and dirty in the trenches. Jarwin was released by the Dallas Cowboys back in March after undergoing surgery for a severely injured hip. If Jarwin is healthy, he would be an upgrade over current TE2 Zach Gentry.
Do you think the Steelers should add any of these available free agents or any other free agents to improve roster depth? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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