Even with the Steelers winning in an upset in Week 1, these three free agents would be huge upgrades for the team for the remainder of the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won in Week 1 despite being heavy underdogs against the Buffalo Bills last week, and while the team is riding high after their tough-fought win, there is still work to be done with this unit.
While the Bills were a formidable opponent, they open a season that should be filled with tough teams for Pittsburgh to face. Shoring up the roster and bettering positions that need it will be a key step in keeping this team winning moving forward.
Here are three free agents the Steelers must sign to better their roster.
Steelers should sign Joe Reed
On the surface, a wide receiver isn’t one of the top needs right now. The team has four talented top options, and its fifth receiver serves as a return specialist. That said, Pittsburgh saw just how quickly a strong receiving depth chart can turn into a weak one, so adding another capable body would make a lot of sense.
As well, adding a receiver with the unique skills and build of Joe Reed would allow him to provide instant value.
Reed was a sixth-round pick for the Los Angeles Chargers last year, and he largely served as a return specialist. He has the body of a running back but the hands of a receiver, and he can make a defender miss in space. Add in his great return ability and you have a more jacked-up Ray-Ray McCloud.
Reed could wear a variety of hats, especially in a Matt Canada-led offense, and Reed would strengthen this depth chart overall.
He would be an under-the-radar add who could pay off for the offense.
Steelers should sign Nick Easton
The next two signings are dedicated to fixing the offensive line.
Easily the weakest unit on the team, the Steelers have to find a way to get better play out of this group to both better their rushing and passing attacks. Some better interior play would be a big help, and a flexible interior lineman such as Nick Easton would be a huge get for Pittsburgh at this point.
Easton is far from an elite player, but he has proven to be a fine starting center and guard throughout his career so far. While the Steelers saw some decent play from their guards in Week 1, Kendrick Green was another story. While not the weakest member on the line, Green struggled to hold his own on pass-rushing reps and was regularly beaten by the Bills linemen. That should have been expected, though, as the rookie third-round pick had all of those same issues in college.
Signing a player like Easton can remedy that.
While Green should be the starter long-term, he could use some time to build his strength and technique as a blocker. Easton could come in and take starting reps at center right away in order to give Green some more time to improve.
As well, Trai Turner hasn’t been the model of health over his career. If he were to get injured, having a capable guard like Easton would be helpful as he could start in his play.
Due to his flexibility and talent, Easton should be an easy target for the Steelers to try and sign soon.
Steelers should sign Rick Wagner
I’ll be honest when I say that I haven’t really been on board with the Steelers signing an offensive tackle. While I recognize the need, I expected Chukwuma Okorafor to have done better after playing a significant number of snaps last year. He was a mess in his first game, though, and it seems as though he has maxed out as a player and frankly, he shouldn’t be seeing the field as a starter.
Adding a player like Ricky Wagner would remedy that.
Wagner has been an above-average right tackle/swing tackle during his career so far. He posted a solid 77 Pro Football Focus rating last year with the Green Bay Packers, but financial reasons caused them to move on from him this offseason.
While a little older at 31 years old, Wagner is a great fit for a physical line, and he would be an instantaneous upgrade over Okorafor. Known for his mauling run blocking, Wagner would aid in doing his part to open up lanes for Najee Harris, something the rookie back didn’t have the luxury of in the Week 1 game.
Now, Wagner isn’t the top tackle on the market. That distinction goes to Mitchell Schwartz and Russell Okung. However, Schwartz is still recovering from back surgery (had he been healthy his name would have been here) and Okung has only played left tackle. Signing him would lead to similar pains the Baltimore Ravens just had with moving Alejandro Villanueva to the right side of their line.
That leaves Wagner as the best option then, as he can fill in at right tackle and keep Okorafor on the bench. When Zach Banner returns, he could shift to swing tackle and give this team better depth along their line. Overall, he makes too much sense not to bring in at this point.
Even with the Steelers winning their Week 1 matchup, there are still some holes on this roster that have to be filled. These three veterans all make sense for Pittsburgh, as adding them would help build a more complete and competitive roster.
Keep them in mind as the team gets ready to face off against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.