The Steelers predictably parted ways with Ahkello Witherspoon the other day. The writing was on the wall, as Witherspoon was seemingly replaced by James Pierre last season and had four million worth of cap savings attached to his name. With him officially off the roster, this team has some spots to fill as well as some cap space to work with.
While the majority of the big moves are done for the Steelers, they should still be prudent and look to add some better players to fill out their roster. They have seemingly been open to moves like this after the draft, as they signed the likes of Melvin Ingram, Larry Ogunjobi, and Trai Turner after the draft.
Here are the four moves the Steelers should look to make with the Witherspoon cap savings.
Steelers should sign Jason Verrett
Jason Verrett is a “what could have been” player since he entered the league. He is an effective cornerback when healthy and has the capability to play inside and outside. The issue has been health, as he has failed to consistently stay on the field and has never played an entire season so far in his career.
At his age, those injuries are likely to only get worse, but he would be worth kicking the tires on. He will have to prove that he is recovered from his season-ending 2022 injury as well. He was a great starter for the 49ers in 2020, and most importantly, he can provide the team with a capable slot cornerback. He would come in cheap and provide another body at a position of need for this team.
Steelers should sign Kenyon Drake
The third running back role on this team doesn’t sound that important, but for an offense that is looking to control the clock with an effective ground game, rounding out this room is important. As well, both of the Steelers top two options lack speed and the ability to break off long runs. This team could benefit from an additional, different, body at the position.
Kenyan Drake is just that. At one point in time, he seemed to be an ascending player due to a great scheme fit with the Cardinals. He was an effective runner and was a regular threat out of the backfield in the receiving game. While he has fallen on a few poor years, he showed that he can still be effective last year with the Ravens.
While he would be a fine change-of-pace option, he can also provide you with a kick-off returner. Not the most important position anymore, this team seems slated to use Gunner Olszewski in that role again. He was miserable there last season and could save some additional cap space if he were released.
Drake wouldn’t be the Benny Snell-type of third back with his special team's coverage ability, but this roster has a lot of special team aces, and the offense could afford to have their third back be more of a returner. Drake could do a lot of things for this offense, and I would love to see him get added with the Witherspoon savings.
Steelers should sign Jacob Martin
The current edge rusher free agency pool is a weird one. There are a lot of top names still available, and while adding another sack artist sounds good on paper, they may not be willing to sign knowing that they will be the third option given the Steelers starters. Behind them are low-level names akin to what this team currently has on the roster.
A name that sticks out as a happy medium is Jacob Martin. He has been an incredibly consistent player during his career, serving as a rotational edge rusher, racking up decent stats, and being a great asset on special teams. He was released by the Broncos this year and has yet to find a home in the league.
He would make sense for the Steelers. He is still relatively young, and while his ceiling isn’t incredible, he can rotate in on defense each week and keep the pass rushers fresh. If an injury were to occur, he can also hold his own as a starter for the short term. While providing all of this, he will also be a core special teams player for this team.
No, he isn’t the top-level name that has accumulated a lot of sacks over the past few seasons, but Martin would be fine as a reserve player. Given his ability to get after the quarterback and special teams talent, he won’t come on the minimum, but spending a little extra to secure a good third edge rusher would be a smart usage of assets.
The Steelers should trade for Budda Baker
The Steelers secondary has been rebuilt this offseason, and while there have been some good names added at cornerback, there is a glaring hole at slot cornerback. The names on the roster to fill in aren’t great, and free agency is lacking great fits there as well. Budda Baker reportedly requested a trade, and he could be a huge upgrade for this secondary.
Baker has become one of the most versatile and talented safeties in the NFL. He can play either free or strong safety, in the box, and in the slot. He would be another superstar on this defense and further the improvements that have been made to the group.
He wouldn’t come cheap, as Baker would have to be acquired by an expensive trade and his contract isn’t for pennies. That said, he may still be discounted considering that the Cardinals don’t have a lot of leverage.
The safety room is relatively deep, but it is lacking a great talent to pair with Minkah Fitzpatrick. As well, Baker can play in the slot, making him an instant upgrade in that room. It would be a huge move, but one that would answer a lot of questions for this defense.
The Steelers have a bit more cap space and some roster spots to work with following the Witherspoon release. They should be active in securing some better depth players and talent for this roster. Any of these moves would be logical before training camp opens.