5 realistic free agent options for Steelers on a budget

Kelvin Beachum, offensive tackle

This one almost makes too much sense for the Steelers not to explore. Kelvin Beachum was a former seventh-round draft choice by Pittsburgh back in 2012 who exceeded all expectations the team could have possibly had. After starting for three years at left tackle for the Steelers, he went on to play for the Jaguars, Jets, and most recently, the Cardinals.

Nine years from the time they drafted him, Beachum remains a full-time starting left tackle in the NFL. While I expect the Steelers do everything in their power to convince Alejandro Villanueva to return for another season, he is projected to make a whopping $16.5 million per year on his next contract, and that type of money will be extremely hard to turn down. Beachum could be a respectable consolation prize.

With his familiarity with Pittsburgh and ben Roethlisberger in addition to his 115 starts at offensive tackle, Beachum makes too much sense for the Steelers to not explore this free agency period. At nearly 32 years old and with four different teams over the past six years, there may not be a ton of suitors for the veteran left tackle.