With NFL teams recently cutting their rosters down to 80 players, here are five recently released veterans that should interest the Steelers.
While the NFL cutting rosters down to 80 men before the final cutdown to 53 seems pointless on paper, it does allow teams access to recently released players earlier in the preseason. Two of the Steelers released at cutdown, Stephen Denmark and Abdullah Anderson, have already found a new home as a result of their release.
Meanwhile, the team should have no issue adding to their roster from the litany of players that were recently cut. Here are five recent roster cuts the Steelers need to sign.
Steelers should sign Benenoch
While the Steelers line is full of intrigue, many of the potential starters have struggled so far during the preseason. Beyond that, there are some major injury concerns with this group, thus adding more capable depth would be a sound move. The Bills recently parted ways with Caleb Benenoch, and he could be a valuable addition to this roster given his flexibility and versatility.
Drafted as a tackle, Benenoch has seen time both on the outside and inside at guard. He also has 22 starts spread out at both positions to this point in his career. While he wasn’t great when being asked to start for a whole season, as injury relief and depth, Benenoch would be a fine addition in a reserve setting.
Benenoch could slot in as a versatile reserve lineman and deepen this group as the regular season draws near. He wouldn’t be a huge difference-maker, but he would be a solid addition to an offensive line that needs some patches filled.
Steelers should sign Harmon
Coming out of North Carolina St. in 2019, Kelvin Harmon was lauded for his physical playstyle and ability to win deep. While not a great athlete, he has strong hands and can make physical catches down the sideline. He was one of the hottest sleepers in the draft, and he appeared to be a developmental player for Washington before injuries took away his past two years. He is healthy now, but he had fallen out of favor with Washington before being cut.
The Steelers should be quick to call him. For starters, the team has carried six receivers on the roster before, and Harmon would be a great sixth option. While his physicality makes him a good contested receiver, his larger frame makes him an ideal special teams player. He player 41 percent of the snaps in Washington there during his rookie year while also recording two tackles on that unit.
Though the team could add him for just that reason, there is no guarantee that James Washington makes it with the Steelers all season. While Mike Tomlin debunked his trade request, Washington’s actions, such as liking tweets mentioning him getting traded, and his motives could lead to some sort of in-season trade.
Harmon would be a fine replacement as the fourth receiver for the team. Even if Washington stays with the team through this season, Harmon would still be a logical addition for this roster.
Steelers should sign Boehm
While not a popular talking point amongst Steelers nation, the center position is one that has to be concerning right now. Kendrick Green has looked fine as a run blocker but has struggled mightily in pass defense. Though this shouldn’t be surprising for a former undersized college guard who was taken in the mid-third round, the issue is the team has no better option to field at center.
B.J. Finney has had an okay camp, but it certainly hasn’t been impressive. J.C. Hassenauer plays with good power, but he lacks the size and athletic ability to make an impact. Evan Boehm has been a good, not great guard and center at the NFL level to this point. While the Steelers wouldn’t want him starting long-term either, he could fill in for the first few weeks if Green needs some more time to get acclimated to the league.
At the very least, Boehm provides more starting experience than anyone on the roster right now. He can also kick to guard in a pinch, and considering Trai Turner’s struggles with health, that may come into play at some point this season. Boehm isn’t a huge name, but his experienced and has enough talent to be a contributor. He would be a solid add along the interior of the line.
Steelers should sign Johnson
One of the most linked named to the Steelers in the 2018 draft was Kerryon Johnson. The former Auburn back met with the team a few times, and it appeared as though the team wanted to add him to their backfield. The Lions scooped him up earlier than some expected, and he found some success in their backfield. Unfortunately, injuries kept him off the field and he now finds himself a free agent after the Eagles parted ways with him.
The thing is, Johnson has good size and great athleticism when healthy. He is a complete back that can function as both a runner and a check-down receiver. While Najee Harris will be the top dog in the backfield, the team could still use a capable backup to him. Right now, it seems like Anthony McFarland will be that guy as well as Kalen Ballage, but neither are elite backups in their own right.
If the Steelers could land Johnson, they absolutely should. He would instantly be the best number two back on the roster and has limited reps as a pro. He could rotate in for a few series a game to allow Harris to rest. If Harris was to miss time with an injury, he has the talent to fill in. The team wanted him in the draft, and now could be a good time to finally see what he can do with the Steelers.
Steelers should sign Desir
Of all the recent names to get released, Pierre Desir would be a great name to see added to this roster. While the Steelers starting cornerbacks are set, the team really needs one last solid option to fill out this depth chart. Desir at one point looked like a breakout player, but he fell back to earth after a moderately sized contract. That said, he can still contribute on a defense.
Desir would instantly slot in as the fourth cornerback on the depth chat and the first one off the bench if an injury were to occur. No, he hasn’t played at an elite level over the past few seasons, but he can still force key turnovers and make plays against the pass. As well, he can still bring some value on special teams, meaning that the team wouldn’t be down a special team’s player in order to dress Desir.
Out of the remaining names on the free-agent market, Desir would be one of the best values. While his age is a bit of concern, as a one-year rental to serve as the fourth cornerback, the team could do far worse. He can be the first option off the bench at outside cornerback in case one of the starters goes down. He would instantly make the roster better if he were added.
The Steelers will be focused on getting their roster down to 53 sooner than later, but that doesn’t mean that they should be focused on adding more talented options now that they are available. These five cuts would be great additions for the team heading into the regular season.