Since the Steelers front office has managed to disappoint all of the Steelers fans at once over the past two days. There isn’t any hope for them to completely rebuild the lost hope in the past two days, but they still have a chance to have a decent free agency period. Here are three of the better moves they could make.
CB Chris Culliver
Culliver, a former 49er, has somehow gone unsigned up to this point and the Steelers should capitalize on it. Culliver has good size at 6’0″ and 199 pounds, plus he has experience playing as a boundary corner or in the slot.
Due to off the field issues Culliver could also come at more of a reduced price than his talent would suggest. He was arguably one of the three best corners on the market before free agency and he is undoubtedly the best one available at the moment.
If the Steelers can grab Culliver for a reasonable price, most likely around 6 million per year, then he would be a great signing at this point in free agency. The possibility of grabbing a fringe number one boundary corner should be too obvious to pass up.
OLB Akeem Ayers
Ayers is one of the more underrated players on the market right now. He seemed to have stalled in his progression for the Titans, until he was traded to the Patriots and had a major increase in production. Ayers showed off the skill set that made him a fantastic process early in his career while on the Patriots.
While he isn’t a great run defender, Ayers is the type of premium pass rusher that should be highly coveted if allowed to hit the open market. Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo are the only full time edge players left on the market, and it doesn’t appear like the Steelers are in the market for either of them, so Ayers is the best option left.
Nov 16, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) on the field in the third quarter. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
He should come at a reduced price compared to the other edge players since he is more of a situational pass rusher. Ayers could split time with Jarvis Jones, who is a better run defender than pass rusher. Inking Ayers for 4-5 million would be a fantastic signing.
RB DeAngelo Williams
Current starter at running back Le’Veon Bell is the best in the league at his position, but what’s behind him can only be considered a barren wasteland. That’s where former Panther DeAngelo Williams comes in.
Williams is now on the back end of his career and was recently released so he sould come at less of a price than some of the other free agent running backs of his caliber. Pittsburgh could also be an attractive landing spot for Williams due to the fact that he would virtually be guaranteed a starting gig for the first two games of the season.
Due to his skill set as a receiver out of the backfield as well as the runner, he wouldn’t require the team to tailor a second scheme to fit his style. He could come in for a relatively cheap 2-3 million dollar deal and provide a much more seamless transition if Bell were to get hurt than what Steelers fans witnessed a few months ago.
Next: Steelers Free Agency Moves
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