The new league year for the NFL is right around the corner, and that means the Steelers will have to be ready to attack free agency. While the team won’t be the most aggressive or the biggest spenders, they should have some room to make some decent moves to help improve this roster.
While they won’t sign every big-name player, this is a year where they should be willing to open their checkbook for some premiere talent. This roster is lacking it, and while building through the draft is a fine strategy, this team needs to fill some holes now while Kenny Pickett is on a rookie deal. Here are six free agents the Steelers should break the bank for.
6. Rock Ya-Sin could fix some Steelers cornerback issues
The question still looms if the Steelers will end up bringing back veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton. While I am optimistic, the team has to have a contingency plan if he ends up departing. While his leaving would open up a huge hole in the slot, Sutton also is an outside cornerback. A player like Rock Ya-Sin would make sense as an outside target.
It was a slower start to his career, as Ya-Sin had a bit of a learning curve once entering the NFL. A very physical player, he excelled in man coverage and against the run but lacked elsewhere. Since being traded to the Raiders, Ya-Sin has come into his own though, having arguably his two best seasons as a pro.
Ya-Sin is a capable starter who is still developing as a pro. The Steelers were very interested in him coming out of the draft, so adding him in free agency seems like a natural fit. He can upgrade an outside cornerback spot and help make this secondary better moving forward. He won’t be the highest-priced defensive back, but he should see a healthy-sized deal that Pittsburgh ought to consider.
5. Kaleb McGary could be a star for the Steelers
Like Ya-Sin, Kaleb McGary also had a slow start to his career before taking off this season. He was a good tackle, but the Falcons didn’t see enough in him to pick up his option. That seems like a mistake, as McGary was one of the highest-ranked tackles, and his 86.6 overall grade from PFF backs that up.
That has inflated his price tag, and McGary won’t come cheap to any team that tries to bring him in. As well, he has primarily been a right tackle to this point, so there may be a risk in moving him around at this point. He is coming off one dominant season on top of this, so teams will have to see if this is a flash in the pan or an actual turning of the corner.
For a Steelers team that needs some more investments in their line, McGary has to be a tempting name to add. He won’t come cheap, but if his play hovers around where it was last year, he will be a star tackle for the next four or more years. Assuming the team cuts Chukwuma Okorafor, McGary would be a natural replacement for him in 2023.
4. Steelers could shore up their defensive line with Dalvin Tomlinson
In general, I’m not a fan of paying big money for a nose tackle. Unless he plays elsewhere on the line, a traditional nose tackle is only on the field roughly a third of the time, and a large cap hit isn’t worth that. Dalvin Tomlinson isn’t a traditional nose tackle though, as he can plug the run and rush the passer.
Tomlinson burst onto the scene as a traditional run plugger that took up space well. He played the past two years with the Vikings, and he developed into more of a pass rusher in that time. He graded out strongly there in 2022 with a 77.1 grade from PFF, although he had one of his worst seasons as a run defender. Even then, Tomlinson was still a dynamic presence in the middle of the defense.
While he is a bit on the older side, Tomlinson should be an effective player for a few more seasons. He would slot in well as the Steelers nose tackle that could rush the passer in sub-package plays. This team has lacked a menacing presence in the middle since an injury derailed Tyson Alualu’s career revival, but Tomlinson could be the cure for that.
3. Tremaine Edmunds could be a huge Steelers addition
The Steelers have had a lacking linebacker room ever since Ryan Shazier had to retire due to injury. The team has tried everything, including a variety of free agents and even a top-ten draft pick at the position, but year in and out this group is still a weak spot for the defense. That remains the same in 2023.
While I’m not overly keen on spending more money on the position given how lackluster the free agents have been, Tremaine Edmunds is my one exception. He is a rare breed of player given his huge size and elite athleticism. The Steelers were drawn to this before he was drafted by the Bills. He has had his share of inconsistencies, but he played his best football last season and is still extremely young.
Assuming the Steelers cut Myles Jack, adding a veteran makes sense, and Edmunds would be a top name to target. He can play sideline to side, blitz, and cover tight ends if need be. I’m weary about throwing money at the position, but Edmunds would be a difference-maker for the defense if he were added.
2. Mike McGlinchey would solve the RT woes for the Steelers
I’ve written about him quite a few times, but if Okorafor is released, my top tackle target in free agency is Mike McGlinchey. While some clamor for Orlando Brown, McGlinchey won’t cost nearly as much, and he has proven to be a consistent and dependable option as the right tackle of the 49ers since he was drafted.
McGlinchey graded out with a 71.5 overall rating according to PFF last season. While he lacks the elite stretches that some tackles have, you know what you are getting with McGlinchey on every snap. He can hold his own in pass protection and run blocking, and he doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses in his game.
While McGary, the other tackle on this list, had the better season last year, McGlinchey is a much more dependable and consistent option to turn to. Signing him means the team has to cut Okorafor, but McGlinchey would be a massive upgrade to the right side of this line. He will be well worth the money if added.
1. C.J. Gardner-Johnson would make the Steelers secondary elite
The more I look over this free agency class, and assuming the team opts to keep Okorafor around, I think adding an impact member to the secondary makes the most sense. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is just that, as the safety can play all over a defense and wear multiple hats. Add in his elite play and you have a superstar.
Gardner-Johnson plays strong safety as a base position, and assuming the team loses Terrell Edmunds, strong safety will need a new face. In addition to safety, Gardner-Johnson is also a viable slot cornerback and can play in the box as a hybrid linebacker. While strong safety will be his main focus, he can also fill needs elsewhere.
While safety isn’t the biggest need for this team, adding Gardner-Johnson provides a huge upgrade for this defense. As well, if Sutton walks in free agency, Gardner-Johnson can serve as a slot cornerback while someone else kicks out to strong safety. We have seen strong safety tandems help elite defenses, and the Steelers would be wise to create an elite duo this offseason.
The Steelers need to have a strong game plan set for when free agency opens. While they won’t sign every huge name, they will need to bring in a few star players. When they decide to break the bank, these six players make the most sense to spend extra on.