Free Agency is just around the corner for the NFL and get ready for some fireworks. The Steelers will be players this year given their massive amount of cap space. There should be quite a few new faces on this squad in the very near future.
The Steelers have shown an affinity to go after players that they have shown interest in the past. Last year was no exception. They signed Van Jefferson and also were close to landing Khaleke Hudson. Both were draft interests for the team in years past.
This year's class will be harder to figure out. 2021 was the COVID year, so we lack a lot of Pro Day and Combine information. Pittsburgh was also infatuated with Najee Harris, so there was less of a question of who would be the team’s pick.
That said, there is still a list of impending free agents that have ties to the Steelers. While a lot of these players would be bit players and depth, there are a few that would be instant starters. From best fit to worst, here are 15 pending free agents who have obvious ties to the team.
15. Steelers had ties with Janarius Robinson
Starting this list off with more of a whimper than a star player. Janarius Robinson won’t be a recognizable name to the casual fan. He was a fourth round pick and has only just become a rotational player for the Raiders over the past two seasons. He has the size and athletic profile to be a solid edge rusher, but he hasn’t put everything together yet.
The Steelers could use a viable fourth edge rusher, and Robinson would fit in well as a potential option there. He can play special teams, and he is starting to find his footing as a defender. He won’t cost more than a minimum value contract, so there is no harm in bringing him in. He was a sleeper pick for them in 2021, and the team could look to sign him as depth now.
14. Steelers had ties with Tre’Von Moehrig
Safety isn’t that high on the list of the Steelers needs (unless they cut ties with Minkah Fitzpatrick), but I can’t help but list Tre’Von Moehrig on this list. The team met with him ahead of the draft to potentially fill their strong safety need, but the pick never materialized.
Moehrig has gone on to become a good starter for the Raiders, and he should be paid well this offseason. I love his fit and think he would be a great option on this defense, but you would be paying him to start which keeps him this far down the list.
There is an argument to be made that Fitzpatrick should be cut, and if he were, I would shift my attention to Moehrig. He can play either safety spot, defend the run, and has been effective in coverage. That said, given his cost, his ties may not mean that much.
13. Steelers had ties with Eric Stokes
Cornerback is a major wildcard this offseason as to how the team addresses it. They need to firm up their second cornerback as well as add a slot option. Donte Jackson could be the plan, but there are options in free agency who would also make sense.
One such name is Eric Stokes. Like Moehrig, he had a pre-draft visit with the team and fits the mold of what this team likes. He is an incredible athlete and has a pedigree as a first-round pick. That said, he hasn’t put it all together as a starter yet, so the fit is an issue.
Stokes has played enough to earn a contract larger than the minimum. With Cory Trice locked in as the third cornerback, he would be too rich to be the fourth option and too inexperienced to be the second starter. If his contract comes in cheaper though, Stokes will make a lot of sense.
12. Steelers had ties with Baron Browning
Another former pre-draft visit, Baron Browning has become a great situational linebacker in this league. He plays the run well and is a great pass rusher. If the team decides that Elandon Roberts isn’t in their 2025 plans, Browning would fit as a player.
That said, he will likely be more expensive than Roberts, and for someone that would be a third option it may be too rich for the role. Browning would be a great fit if there was more turnover in the room, but as it stands his cost might price him out of Pittsburgh’s range despite their previous interest.
11. Steelers had interest in Tommy Tremble
From here on out these names all make legitimate sense to me, and I wouldn’t be shocked if any of them are added to the roster.
While tight end isn’t a conventional need, this offense used everyone in their room a lot last year. Having a more complete third tight end would be helpful. Tommy Tremble would provide just that.
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He is a better blocker than a receiver, but he has been effective in the redzone. As a third tight end, he would continue to give this team versatility with how they line up on offense. Tight ends do earn extra on second deals, but with cap space to burn and a clear pre-draft interest in 2021, Tremble would be a sneaky option for this team.
10. Steelers had interest in Elijah Moore
Finally a receiver on this list! One of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs, the team will almost certainly add a receiver in free agency. Who they target will tell you a lot about their draft plans.
The conventional wisdom says the team will go after an established veteran, but an option like Elijah Moore would make sense if the team is hoping to draft someone early. Moore has been a steady contributor with both the Jets and Browns. He can play outside or in the slot, and given his cheaper projected contract level, he could be a find second/third option.
9. Steelers had interest in Mac Jones
While the quarterback talk is centered around either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, a free agent name that makes sense is Mac Jones. The Steelers showed some passing interest in him before the draft because of how deep the class was. There was a realistic chance that he would be available to the team.
While his tenure in the NFL has been lackluster, he is a safe option that can be brought in as a backup with the potential to push a starter. If the team wants to explore every avenue at quarterback this offseason, taking a chance on Jones makes sense.
8. Steelers had interest in Caleb Farley
I loved Caleb Farley coming out of school, as he looked like a great fit for what the Steelers were shifting their target to at cornerback. Long and tall and specializing in man coverage, Farley was a sleeper option for the Steelers if Harris was off the board. Instead, he went to the Titans, but injuries limited him for most of his career.
Why he ranks higher than Stokes is where his contract will come in at. He will come in on a minimum contract, can play special teams, and the Steelers are known to take flyers on pedigree cornerbacks. He can compete for the fourth spot with the hope of revitalizing his career.
7. Steelers had interest in Derrick Barnes
Another linebacker if Roberts is shown the door this year, I like Barnes fit significantly more than Browning. He shouldn’t cost as much coming off his injury, and his unique frame makes him a solid run defender and pass rusher given his background as an edge rusher. Pittsburgh showed a lot of interest in him ahead of the draft.
He was being used all over the Lions defense over his first three seasons, but a season ending injury cost him his fourth season. He can rotate in on run downs and even serve as emergency depth at edge rusher. He would make a lot of sense assuming the price is right.
6. Steelers had interest in Javonte Williams
With Harris likely out the door this year, rebuilding this running back room around Jaylen Warren will be an interesting task. While a mid-round draft pick is almost a slam dunk, a free agent to build out a capable room is squarely on the table.
Due to their need at running back in 2021, the Steelers showed a lot of interest in all of the top running backs that year. Williams was personally my favorite that year, but an injury in his second season limited him the past few years.
That should lead to him signing a cheap deal to rebuild some value, and two-years removed he should be fully healthy. You could get a J.K. Dobbins type of player on the cheap, someone who is finally healthy and can show it on a new team. Sign me up for it if the price is right.
5. Steelers had interest in Darius Slayton
A name that wasn’t drafted in 2021, Darius Slayton has constantly been on the Steelers radar. They liked him in the 2019 draft, although he ended up going to the Giants instead, and has since carved out a nice career as a deep threat and quality second option.
Reports were that the Steelers were trying to trade for him at the deadline but a deal never materialized. He is a free agent this year and should command decent money as a second option for an offense. Now could finally be the time that the team gets their guy.
4. Steelers had interest in Kelvin Beachum
The Steelers had so much interest in Kelvin Beachum that they drafted him in 2012 and started him for three seasons before he left for greener pastures. Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most stable tackles in the league, serving as a starter for most of his career and now being a viable swing tackle and depth as a veteran.
He wants to play another season, and it makes a lot of sense to target him this offseason. You know what you are getting in him, and he can play on either side. Given his recent contracts, he is likely playing at or close to the minimum this year.
Beachum has no issues mentoring younger players as a backup, and he can push both Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu to play well or be benched for him. The oldest player on this list, reuniting with Beachum makes a ton of sense this offseason.
3. Steelers had interest in Robert Hainsey
Interior offensive line is a minor need for this team. While the starters are set for the year, depth is needed as is a long-term replacement for Isaac Seumalo. While I think a guard could be on the table in the draft, a backup center is needed, assuming Nate Herbig isn’t retained this year.
Robert Hainsey was a name widely connected to the Steelers ahead of the 2021 draft. He was born in the city so has natural ties to here. He was drafted by the Buccaneers instead, becoming a starting center until last season before becoming interior backup.
A second contract will be cheap for him, and he could even ink a multi-year deal for a respectable rate. He can serve as depth at center and could kick out to guard if need be. If he plays well enough, he could also get his name into the future starting guard conversation in 2026.
2. Steelers had interest in Asante Samuel Jr.
A name that makes a lot of sense for a wide variety of reasons, Asante Samuel Jr. connected a lot of dots for the team before the draft. They showed a lot of pre-draft interest in him, and he has the bloodlines that this team loves in players. He ultimately went to the Chargers where he has had a solid, but unspectacular career.
He is a little Donte Jackson-like as a player. He is undersized as an outside cornerback but has no experience in the slot. That said, he is proven at this point and would be a quality second cornerback for this team. That said, he should get paid a healthy amount of money on a new deal, so he won’t be a cheap addition.
1. Steelers had interest in Elijah Molden
After looking over the entire list of pending free agents, a name surfaced that made the most sense for this team to target. He is a high pedigree player and the Steelers showed a lot of interest in him coming out of the draft.
That player is Elijah Molden. He started his career off as a slot cornerback with the Titans before getting traded to the Chargers this past season. He maintained his role in the slot but was also kicked out to safety. He had a great season and earned some more value heading into free agency.
The Steelers can sign him to play in the slot and also serve as safety depth. That will be needed since Damontae Kazee is likely gone this year. He can wear a lot of hats, had previous interest from the team, and can instantly improve the slot.