3 free agents the Steelers should consider signing ahead of Week 5

Are any free agents likely to be an impact signing at this point of the season? No. Keep in mind though that the Steelers are starting to get a level of desperation around certain positions on their team. Injuries are piling up quickly, and Pittsburgh can't afford many more. Not only are their starters beginning to feel the heat, but the depth behind them is starting to thin out.

Pittsburgh still has some free agents who could be considered upgrades to their current situation. Their roster might not feel back to normal if they sign these players, but it might produce a better situation for the team moving forward. The Steelers have some cap space to work with if they truly want to go out and sign some veteran free agents to spark a new direction for the club.

Steelers could use some help by signing these leftover free agents

D.J. Humphries

It is not a pretty situation for the Steelers when it comes to their depth at tackle. They have Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones as the starters, but it is very thin behind them since Troy Fautanu went down with his season-ending injury. Dylan Cook could return sometime soon, but he remains inexperienced at the NFL level. It might be time to consider free-agent options.

D.J. Humphries is someone who has a lot of starting experience and has played both right and left tackle during his long NFL career. He has mostly played on the left side, except for his rookie year where he started 13 games on the right side for the Cardinals. His versatility and experience should pique the Steeler's interest. Humphries might not be great, but he is a solid depth player.

Justin Houston

The good news is that Alex Highsmith should be back from his hamstring injury in another week or two. The bad news is that Nick Herbig didn't look terrific in his first game as the starting outside linebacker opposite of T.J. Watt. Perhaps Herbig will settle into that role, but the depth behind those two is nonexistent. Pittsburgh has been without a fourth linebacker all season.

Justin Houston remains an interesting option still out there in free agency. He is not the same player that he once was, and retirement is likely inching closer. There has been rumored interest between these two parties before, but nothing ever got across the finish line. The Steelers would be wise to bring in a veteran guy who can still rush the passer like Houston can.

Mason Cole

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers plan to sign Max Scharping off of the Commanders practice squad. He is an experienced offensive lineman who can provide depth to a group that is getting thinner by the week. James Daniels and Nate Herbig are now lost to the season. Isaac Seumalo will hopefully return from injury this week and remain healthy for the rest of the year.

Adding Scharping should not be the only addition Pittsburgh makes. Mason Cole remains a free agent and could be a good option to either add to the roster or practice squad. He wouldn't be a great starter, but they would be signing him to be a depth piece. Cole can play guard and center, so that would be a nice veteran guy to have on the team. A reunion with Cole would make a lot of sense.