6 free agents the Steelers have to keep an eye on in 2022 offseason

Steelers should consider Crowder

More than likely, JuJu Smith-Schuster is playing his final year with the team in 2020. He returned on a one-year deal, but the team continues to misuse him and hold his value back. He likely won’t make the same mistake again, and he will leave the team void of a slot receiver assuming he leaves. While the Steelers are one of the best drafting receiver teams in the NFL, a free agent could be brought in to aid an already young group of pass-catchers.

Insert Jamison Crowder, as the former Washington and Jet receiver is set to have his second shot at free agency. Far from an elite receiver, Crowder is a prototypical slot receiver that thrives on short passes and moving the chains. That is exactly how the team has been using their slot receiver as of late, so Crowder would be a natural fit.

He will likely command far less money than Smith-Schuster will want, and he would add a veteran presence to an extremely young receiving room. His style matches what the Steelers use in the slot right now, so he could be a sneakily good add.

Though he will be a little older at 29 next offseason, he should still have a few seasons left to be a capable producer. He would be a natural replacement for Smith-Schuster assuming he departs next offseason.