Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 possible free agent targets for the offseason

5. Key in-house free agents in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a select few in-house names that should be taken care of come the new league year. The list is large but there are only a few guys who I think are must-haves to come back in 2019.

Ramon Foster, Jesse James, Eli Rogers and L.J. Fort all need to be brought back for certain. These four are all unrestricted free agents and will need to agree to new deals here to stay here.

All four of the names above proved productive in one way or another over 2018 and would be key to a 2019 roster built to contend. Eli Rogers is especially intriguing given the Antonio Brown saga unfolding before our very eyes.

Ben Roethlisberger has made it clear he loves his line and the fact that it has been the same core guys for so long. Bringing Ramon Foster back is a key to keep that line intact and ready for protecting Ben again in 2019.

Jesse James got cast aside twice by Ladarius Green and then Vance McDonald. He hasn’t wavered and produced better than he is credited for.

The Steelers need a number two tight end and Xavier Grimble is not it. They are better off signing James than trying to make Grimble a number two.

Mike Hilton and Matt Feiler are the two most important restricted free agent players on the Steelers list. Both will be brought back on tenders but I believe Hilton at the very least should receive an extension offer.

Feiler was great all season and filled the void of Marcus Gilbert’s injured self. After Chris Hubbard did it last season, I think it is best to move on from Gilbert and give Feiler a year on the tender to prove he can handle the full 16-game schedule once again and then retain him as the right tackle.

Pittsburgh is going to have a very busy offseason. Free agent moves and a possible Antonio Brown trade are all on the menu for the Steelers as they look to right the ship and get back to contending in the playoffs for another Lombardi trophy.