Breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers free agency situation
By Edward Hunt
Defensive Line
Dan McCullers is the only free agent defensive lineman from last year’s 53. He is an unrestricted free agent. I think the Steelers would like to bring him back at the minimum and make him compete again for a spot on the 53 man roster.
Outside Linebacker
Anthony Chickillo is a restricted free agent and I think he should be brought back at an original round tender. He was drafted in the sixth-round. Chickillo is a good role player to have as he can play special teams and he is a decent backup at outside linebacker. However, he is replaceable and that is why I would only tender him at an original round tender.
Arthur Moats is an unrestricted free agent. He has been with the team for a few years now but is still only really worth the minimum with no guaranteed money. He is a decent backup who can play inside linebacker in a pinch. He is also a serviceable special teams player. I would think he is worth bringing back to camp based on his character. However, he can be replaced on the field with a draft pick. I could also see Kion Adams taking his place now that he is presumed to be healthy this year.
Inside Linebacker
Sean Spence is an unrestricted free agent and is coming off a weak year. One could say it was because he was rusty being a street free agent late in the season. I don’t know if Spence is still an NFL quality linebacker, but the Steelers know him well and it may help their depth if they sign him to be on the roster going into the draft. I hope the Steeler find an upgrade at the MACK, but for now they might have to bring Spence back for the minimum with little guaranteed money.
Cornerback
The Steeler have all seven of their corners from last year under contract. Mike Hilton was an exclusive-rights free agent but was retained pretty early this offseason.
Safety
All four Steelers safeties from last year are under contract, but it’s still a position that the Steelers ought to draft this year. Mitchell is in the last year of his deal and JJ Wilcox is looking like he will be cut.