With the recent wave of releases, the Steelers are looking at a new crop of free agents that they could sign to their 80-man roster.
With the harsh reality of a pandemic in the NFL, teams have had to make cuts to players sooner than they would usually do, as well as cut players that may have played during the season in order to save cap space. While the Steelers have already made their share of cuts, other teams have trimmed some intriguing players that are still roster-able talents. The Steelers had the luxury of cutting players who were long shots to make the roster, but other teams parted ways with veterans who still possess intriguing talent.
While this is certainly an unfortunate time for many NFL players, it can turn into a positive for the Steelers. Some quality talent was recently released in order to accommodate this new NFL, and they are helpful additions to a Steelers roster that seemingly has little holes. Given the current landscape, these players won’t be expensive to add to the current roster.
This isn’t to say that the Steelers can find instant starters amidst these crops of cuts. Instead, adding quality depth at positions of need can be enough to keep this roster strong all around. In a season that will likely be riddled with unexpended injuries and missed games, having a deep and capable roster could prove to be the difference between a winning season and a losing one.
All of that said, here are the four best roster cuts the Steelers should try to add to their camp roster:
Jeff Heuerman
While the Steelers already added a young TE with potential in Dax Raymond, Pittsburgh has little long-term options at the TE position. Though the Steelers have both Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald, neither are guaranteed to make it past this year due to their contracts and questionable play. With all these questions at the position, adding a stable veteran like the recently cut Jeff Heuerman makes a lot of sense.
Heuerman is a decent inline blocker and has good hands. He isn’t dynamic as a receiver but can make the catch when called upon and can utilize his size well in physical matchups. He isn’t a starter by any means, but he can be a valuable role player and has the long-term value of being a steady number two, similar to what Matt Speath was for the Steelers for all those years.
Heuerman plays a lot like a typical Steelers TE, and if he can take his blocking to the next level, he could find a home with the Steelers for a while. He can serve primarily as a blocker this year next to the more receiving oriented McDonald and Ebron. Next year and the years after, Heuerman could be the number two, something the Steelers have struggled to find in recent seasons. Assuming his price is low, Heuerman makes a lot of sense as a camp option for the Steelers.
Marquel Lee
The Raiders have made a bevy of moves that should interest the Steelers, but one, in particular, was the release of LB Marquel Lee. Lee was a former fifth-round pick who had an up and down career before being released. His highlight was 2018 when he started for 10 games and had nearly 70 tackles. While he is better suited as a reserve player, he has obvious talent.
The Steelers are very thin at LB right now. While Devin Bush is ready to take on the role of defensive leader, the players behind him are questionable. Vince Williams is a trusted vet but has obvious deficiencies in his game. Ulysees Gilbert III is still an unknown despite his impressive play last season.
Could the Steelers make it through the season without the additional depth? Sure, but adding a reserve like Lee who can play on special teams and start in a pinch isn’t a bad idea. Lee is a youthful option who can play well at multiple levels. The depth he would provide would be insurance in case of an unfortunate injury in 2020.
P.J. Hall
The Steelers had major questions heading into the offseason at NT, and after barely addressing it, the Steelers seem content on letting Tyson Alualu shift inside as the starter. Considering he has never played NT; this could leave the defensive line weak heading into the season. Even worse, Dan McCullers is still scheduled to be the primary backup.
Thus enters P.J. Hall, a former second-round pick from the Raiders who was recently cut. He has started 18 games over the past two seasons and has developed as a quality run stuffer who offers a little pass-rushing help. There is little question Hall is more talented than the aforementioned McCullers, and he could even contend for the starting spot if he had enough time to prove his worth.
Hall is going to be 26 this season as well, meaning he could develop into a full-time starter not just for this year but for years to come. While he isn’t a pass-rushing NT, he has more of a throwback feel like a Chris Hoke. Even if he didn’t take that step and turn into a full-time starter, Hall would be a valuable addition that would provide better depth at the NT position.
M.J. Stewart
What could be the crown jewel of these recent cuts, former Buccaneers DB M.J. Stewart recently hit the market, and the Steelers shouldn’t hesitate to give him a call. Stewart is the definition of a DB. Like Cameron Sutton, he can play outside, in the slot, and could even play some FS in a pinch if the Steelers needed him.
On top of all this, he can play on special teams too. Considering he wouldn’t be vying for a starting role this year, the ability to play on special teams is vital. The depth he provides everywhere doesn’t hurt either. Considering Sutton is entering the final year of his rookie deal, adding a player with a similar skill set is insurance in case he decides to walk next year in free agency.
While CB is a deep group right now, Stewart would have an obvious path to the roster and would help sure things up next year when a few of their veterans likely leave as free agents. While he has yet to blossom into a true starter, the depth he provides in the secondary makes up for that. He wouldn’t cost more than the minimum likely and considering the Steelers history of struggling to find CBs, adding another free agent to the room isn’t a bad idea.
While the Steelers have constructed a solid roster to this point, this new wave of cuts has allowed for more intriguing names to available to the Steelers. While the team likely won’t add all of them, one or two could provide better depth to a thin position not just this year, but next year as well.