The Steelers will need to find tight end help this offseason. Here are some bargain-free agents who will be on top of their list.
Ever since Vance McDonald retired, the need to add a quality tight end has only grown. Before McDonald’s announcement, this position could have used more depth. Now with only Eric Ebron being the only true option at the position, this will need to be addressed immediately.
The Steelers have not had a great player at the position since Heath Miller hung up his cleats for good after the 2015 season. Finding help at the position will not be easy, and it would be hard for the team to trust a rookie tight end who would be thrust into action. Because of this, Pittsburgh may have to look to a bargain-free agent. Their availability should entice Pittsburgh as they continue to work their own way through money problems.
Getting under the cap was accomplished by signing Ben Roethlisberger to a new deal and now they need to do more. Through different restructures and extensions they could be bargain hunters when free agency begins.
There will not be huge names or ones that find a nice market in free agency. The black and gold cannot afford to bid on those types of players. Instead, they will be going for smaller names looking to reestablish themselves in the NFL before leaving for more money when the time comes again. Bringing in a nice veteran option that could block would be the ideal candidate as Ebron does not possess that skill in his game. Here are three names that fit the bill:
Jeremy Sprinkle, Washington Football Team
Coming out of Arkansas in the 2017 NFL draft, the Steelers were linked to Jeremy Sprinkle consistently during the pre-draft conjecture. He landed with Washington where he never really took off. Sprinkle was a mid-round prospect and was not seen as more than a depth player.
During his time in the NFL, he has been behind many explosive tight ends in the league. The team he was employed by has found many talented players for the position and that caused Sprinkle to look for new ways to enter the fold. Unfortunately, his numbers are not flashy at all. In fact, they are almost non-existent. Still, Sprinkle has become a decent blocker during his developmental process. Now he is going into free agency as his rookie contract is running out. This would be a very cheap option for the Steelers going forward.
Sprinkle fits the idea of getting a blocker that could complement Ebron’s lack in the department. Ebron could catch while Sprinkle comes in to add an extra blocker like how Matt Spaeth did years ago. He might not be the best player available but he would be a good option as he should not command much of a market and he fits what the team needs.
Jesse James, Detroit Lions
Jesse James will likely be released by the Lions before free agency begins to shed cap space. His contract that he signed years ago seemed like it would eventually lead to his release a couple of years into it. He was a nice part of the Steelers offense during his time here. James was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft coming out of Penn State. He does not do one thing amazing but he is a decent all-round player that would greatly improve the depth.
His blocking ability gets overlooked sometimes but he can also sneak out and catch some passes. It has not been great for him in Detroit but returning home seems like a very good option for James. He is from the Pittsburgh area and he knows the team. It was said he left because the locker room was getting out of hand. Realistically it was because the team couldn’t afford him at the number he got from the Lions.
If James left because of the locker room situation then he has no excuse now since those issues have left the team. If he is released (and that is very plausible), then expect his return back to the Steelers on what could be close to a veteran minimum contract. It will likely be a one-year deal that can help both the player and the team moving forward.
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Rudolph was just released by the Vikings and this name should interest the Steelers. Right now, it is unknown what kind of market the free agent will command. He is still a productive player but he is aging and that should cause some concerns for other teams. If his market begins to become abundant then this is more of an unlikely option for Pittsburgh.
Rudolph would be an amazing fit as the veteran can do it all. His all-around ability has made him one of the best at the position since entering the league many seasons ago. Now he will look for a new home. If his market is small and his price is cheap then this will be a great fit for both the player and team.
It will be interesting to see if someone overpays for a bigger name or shells out the money to this player for what his market value should really be. He was a cap casualty and more big-name players could follow in Rudolph’s footsteps going forward. It is a tough cap year due to teams struggling with the pandemic. More names will fall into free agency and look for new places to play. That could cause Rudolph and his price range to fall. That is when Pittsburgh can jump in and sign a player of his caliber.
The Steelers have a lot of work to do with filing holes this offseason, and tight end will be a major focus in free agency or the draft before the season starts. Let’s hope Pittsburgh can fill the void this offseason.