The Steelers wrapped up the second week, and while the team hasn’t been horrible, there are still improvements that this team needs to consider. Specifically, the receiver room and slot defense could use a facelift, as both positions haven’t been living up to expectations.
Beanie Bishop is still a work in progress, but he may benefit from a more defined role instead of being the every-down slot cornerback. As for the receivers, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin have started the season off cold. These four free agents aren’t cure-alls, but they can help fill out the depth chart and make the team better. The Steelers would be wise to add one of these four free agents before week 3.
Steelers could sign Russell Gage
The Steelers have struggled to get much production out of their receiver room this season outside of George Pickens. While this was the expectation, the rest of the room has been extremely lackluster through two weeks. The quarterback play hasn’t been perfect, but having another capable receiver would be a big boost.
Russell Gage was, at one time, a very capable second receiver in the NFL. He had inside and outside flexibility and was productive with the Falcons. That trend was continuing with the Buccanneers before an injury last season ended his year. He was cut by Tampa Bay and was signed late with the Ravens but didn’t end up making the team.
Gage would need a few weeks to get up to speed, but he could easily become a compliment piece in this offense. This also gives Jefferson the chance to prove that he is capable of being the second target. If he does, Gage is quality depth. If not, you can give Gage the shot at being the number two receiver.
Steelers could sign Jalen Mills
Flipping to the defense, the Steelers haven’t gotten the best play out of rookie Bishop in the slot. Long-term there might be something there, but giving him a more defined role could help. Either serving as the run-down defense or pass-down slot cornerback could make him a better fit defensively right now.
The benefit of signing Jalen Mills is that he can fill in as depth all over the defense. He is truly a Swiss army knife on defense, as he has recorded significant snaps at cornerback and safety. More recently, he has been a slot defender who specializes in stopping the run.
Signing him doesn’t mean you have to bench Bishop either. Mills can serve as depth just about everywhere, and if the team wants Bishop to focus on his pass coverage, Mills can play on run-downs. He would properly fill out the depth for the secondary and push the young rookie on defense.
Steelers could sign Patrick Peterson
If the Steelers wanted a more familiar face on defense who can wear multiple hats, Patrick Peterson fits the bill. The Steelers cut him in the offseason due to his declining play and large-cap charge. That said, they seemed to keep him on the backburner all offseason in case they needed secondary help. Now could be the time to pounce.
Peterson, like Mills, could serve as depth all over the secondary. That said, his main role last year became a pass-down slot cornerback and hybrid safety. He can serve in that role once again if the team wants Bishop to be used more on run-downs. Given his familiarity with the defense, he shouldn’t have a huge ramp-up period either.
Peterson’s play got better once he got settled into his new role on defense. It came down to his price and shrinking role on the team. On a cheaper contract, a reunion makes sense right now. He would give the team an experienced depth piece and a potential slot option for the defense.
Steelers could sign Huner Renfrow
Back to the receiver room, the Steelers seem determined to use Austin as the slot receiver for the offense while Roman Wilson gets up to speed. Considering how this offense has functioned so far, a short area safety valve that knows how to get open. They have a lot of big-play threats, but they could use someone who just knows how to get open.
Hunter Renfrow is just that. He isn’t a flashy, big-play threat, but he can find the soft spot on defense and make tough catches. He is a slot receiver only, and while you would ideally want to get Wilson in that spot eventually, he barely played in the preseason and could be behind this year.
Renfrow never recaptured his 2021 form, but the Steelers wouldn’t need that. Using him in the slot opens the door for another safety valve for this offense. He wouldn’t be a huge contributor, but he doesn’t have to be. Another capable slot option with a history of moving the chains would be a good fit for this offense.