With teams preparing for training camp, the Steelers could potentially target any of these eight free agents that remain on the market and fill a position of need.
With training camp the next major hurdle for the Steelers, making sure the roster is in as good of shape as possible is critical going forward. Considering the team is no stranger to adding free agents before and during camp, knowing who is still available and could fill holes is important. This list seeks to rank the top eight free agents on the market that would fill a position of need.
The Steelers won’t sign all of these players
This doesn’t mean I am advocating signing all of them. Logistically, the team doesn’t have the cap space to fit each of these players under for 2021. But if injury occurs or the team feels like a position needs addressing, it could very well be a name on this list. With that said, here are the eight best free agents that would fill a position of need for the Steelers.
Tre Boston
Tre Boston is a name that has some interesting lore from the Steelers. After the Panthers released him, he actually visited with the team due to their large need for free safety help. He ultimately signed with the Chargers and went on to post his best season in 2017. Since then, he has been a seemingly regular mercenary, playing on one-year deals and usually starting while there.
A free agent once again, Boston is likely holding out for an injury to occur before signing elsewhere. It seems unlikely that, given his age and recent playing time, Boston wants to be a depth player or limited to a subpackage role. That said, if he were willing to serve in such a role, the Steelers could certainly use him. He would be the second-best free safety on the team and allow Minkah Fitzpatrick to be more versatile in the secondary.
Steven Nelson
A name that rings a bell for everyone, Steven Nelson was with the Steelers earlier this year before they surprisingly cut him in order to save salary cap space. With outside cornerback now being a question mark, the team may look to add to the group if their trust in James Pierre isn’t there yet. While the biggest name on the market is Richard Sherman, Nelson is simply the better fit.
For starters, Sherman is far older than Nelson, meaning his inevitable drop-off in production is coming sooner than later. As well, Sherman is a much more comfortable zone corner while the Steelers run a lot more man. In a time where the lines are blurred on defense, this isn’t a death blow, but it makes Nelson the better fit for the team.
Of everyone on this list, Nelson would be the biggest shocker to sign with the team. You would have to think he took his release personally, as the Steelers essentially told him he wasn’t worth the money he was making. That said, if the team is in need of a starting outside cornerback, Nelson is the best fit that is currently still on the market.
Jesse James
Another former Steeler, Jesse James left the team two years ago on a sizable deal from the Lions. An early investment in T.J. Hockenson and minimal usage after that resulted in James getting released this season. While the Steelers invested in Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the draft, the third tight end spot is still a huge question mark that could be addressed with a player like James.
When you consider that rookie tight ends have some of the toughest transitions to the NFL, adding a capable veteran in James would do the team a lot of good. This way, Freiermuth can take the time he may need to develop as James can serve as the blocker or secondary receiving tight end if need be. Even if Freiermuth is pro-ready, injuries can always occur, so shoring up this group makes sense for this year.
The best part about James right now would be his price, as his contract likely wouldn’t be for much more than the minimum. He could come in, improve the depth chart immensely, and take some pressure off of Freiermuth if he isn’t ready to play as the top backup right away. While he may be looking for a better opportunity elsewhere, the Steelers could prove to be his best fit. As well, if an injury were to occur with any of the tight ends, James should be the first player brought in.
Justin Houston
Much has been said about the Steelers’ lack of edge depth this offseason. While Quincy Roche was a great pick in the sixth round, expecting him to serve as the number three edge rusher as a rookie is a stretch. Cassius Marsh is also not the answer, as he is more fit as a special team’s option and an emergency defensive player if injuries forced him in. There are quite a few intriguing edge rushers still on the market, but none of them are as good as Justin Houston.
Houston has been one of the league’s best sack artists for the past ten years, and despite becoming more of a rotational player with the Colts last season, Houston still netted eight sacks. Add in his body type being on the bigger side (like Bud Dupree’s) and you have a player that would compliment this room really well.
Now granted, if he were to be the number three, he would have to be on a cheaper deal. That said, the team was reportedly targeting Ryan Kerrigan before he signed with the Eagles, so perhaps the Steelers would throw more than the minimum at him. As well, if an injury were to occur, Houston would be a fine short-term starter. Don’t expect an imminent signing to occur, but if the situation presents itself and both sides can agree to a price, Houston would make a lot of sense for the team.
Duke Johnson
While the Steelers got their starting bell-cow running back in Najee Harris, they could still add a body to the depth chart to give him a capable backup. Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage are both mediocre power backs and Anthony McFarland is very unproven. As for Jaylen Samuels, the team’s best-case scenario involves him not being on the roster in 2021.
What makes Duke Johnson a great fit is his versatility. While Todd Gurley would be the better pure running back, Johnson can serve as a receiver out of the backfield. He runs sharp routes and has a great blend of speed and agility to make big plays with the ball in his hands. A Matt Canada offense could thrive with some of the gadget plays that Johnson could contribute.
No, this wouldn’t mean Harris is put into a committee, but adding Johnson as a change of pace back could keep him fresh and keep defenses guessing. The only player who could even compare to Johnson on the roster is McFarland, and he is essentially a question mark heading into his second season. Running backs haven’t been getting paid much either, so Johnson shouldn’t break the bank. If the team wants to strengthen their running back room, even more, Johnson should be their guy.
Morgan Moses
Morgan Moses is a name that has been popping up in Steelers-related talks ever since Washington cut him to save some cap space. While Moses is certainly a good player, there are a couple of key issues that put him in third on this list. While there are some issues with him, it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a great fit for the team if everything worked out.
The biggest issue with Moses is that he has been a right tackle only to this point. As of now, Zach Banner is slotted in at right tackle, and while Moses may be a better player, Banner did earn a sizable contract with the team this offseason. One of them would have to slide over to the left side probably, and neither of them are great fits there.
As well, offensive linemen are extremely valuable in the league, so Moses would likely want more than the minimum. While these issues make him a long shot to end up on the team’s roster, he is clearly the top tackle left on the market. If an injury occurs or he is willing to take a huge discount, he would be the best free-agent offensive lineman left for the Steelers.
Brian Poole
Brian Poole is a name I keep circling back to in free agency. While not the most talented cornerback left, he is easily the best slot corner and could likely start there if the Steelers signed him. Even with James Pierre making some noise so far during OTAs, having a natural slot corner couldn’t hurt, especially when they are as capable as Poole is.
The former Jet had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2020, as he only gave up a quarterback rating of 61.6 when targeted. While he is limited to the slot only, that is one of the Steelers’ top needs still. Besides Cameron Sutton, who is slated to play on the outside mostly this year, undrafted rookie Shakur Brown is the only other natural slot cornerback.
Poole could change all of that if he were signed. Considering his market hasn’t been that hot, he likely wouldn’t cost that much at this point. The Steelers likely want to see what they have in their younger options first, which is fine. That said if an injury occurs or one of them falters, Poole is the best free-agent cornerback fit for the team.
Malik Hooker
Out of every current free agent on the market, Malik Hooker is the best fit for the Steelers. When healthy, Hooker is a premier free safety that is comfortable playing deep. While the Steelers have one of, if not the, best free safeties in the league in Minkah Fitzpatrick, Hooker would still have a valuable role on the team. For starters, he would instantly be the top backup safety for the team, and he could play in sub-package defense.
What would make the most sense is signing Hooker and playing him at free safety when a slot corner is needed. That way, Fitzpatrick can serve as a hybrid slot defender and play closer to the line. This makes the Steelers defense more versatile and gives them additional slot options to consider. At worst, he is a top-depth option for the team.
Given his injury history, his contract likely wouldn’t be for much over the veteran minimum. This means he would be a cheap depth option that could play a role on the defense. Even if the Steelers want to give their young corners a chance to prove themselves, having a player like Hooker would still better the secondary.
While the Steelers will likely take the team they have now into camp, injuries and disappointing play could lead to mid-camp additions. If the team does make such a move, any of the eight names on this list are some of the best remaining free agents left on the market. If a move were to be made, it should involve one of these names.