So it has been a strange week for the Pittsburgh Steelers, almost a bizzarro world week as the Steelers signed three free agents in a two day span. No, these weren’t your big-named players who can turn around a roster over night, but they were good depth pick ups at key positions of need for the 2017 Steelers.
With Coty Sensabaugh at cornerback, Tyson Alualu along the defensive line, Knile Davis at running back and Justin Hunter at wide receiver, the team has put together some pieces of their free agent puzzle, but they could still do work before offseason workouts begin.
There are still prospects to be had, but what positions would the Steelers target? There are three which come to mind.
Running Back
Despite the acquisition of Knile Davis, the team’s depth chart is still ridiculously thin. Only Le’Veon Bell, Fitzgerald Toussaint and Davis have any type of NFL experience in the backfield, and Davis doesn’t really have the look of a No. 2 back. The Steelers would be wise to bring in another back with more of the genuine backup feel. I would be calling DeAngelo Williams, but there are a few other names out there who could help, even if the team targets a running back in the NFL Draft, which I think they will.
Outside Linebacker
Everyone knows the team’s need at outside linebacker, as well as their desire to draft a pass rusher high in the NFL Draft, but should the team target a free agent pass rusher to help bolster their lineup? They certainly could, and it would be warranted. With James Harrison and Bud Dupree as their best options, with Anthony Chickillo and Arthur Moats to back up at both positions, the team could still look at some veterans on the market to bolster the pass rushing position.
Defensive Line
The above podcast, and list, was both created before the team officially signed Tyson Alualu to a two-year deal, and that move was a tremendous decision for the organization, but the team could still look to bring in some competition at the position. Ricardo Mathews, who was a solid backup option along the defensive line, is still a free agent, and although most assume Alualu’s signing ends his tenure with the team, competition can be a great thing. You can never have enough quality players at key positions, and the Steelers saw just what happens if you lose your top defender, Cam Heyward, to injury as they did in 2016.
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The Steelers still have salary cap space available to them, and the thought of them sitting on that before the 2017 regular season is highly doubtful. The team could, and should, still look for a few more extra pieces to their puzzle to help round out their depth chart before their offseason workouts begin.
I talk about this, and more, in the above podcast. Give it a listen!
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