Steelers OLB Jason Worilds ranks 12th on NFL.com Top Free Agent List

The NFL offseason is has officially begun, and free agency is right around the corner as March 10th marks the first day teams can sign available players to their rosters. NFL.com recently released their first Top 25 Free Agent list and where Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Jason Worilds was ranked might make some people turn their heads.

Of the 25 players listed, Worilds was listed as 12th, in terms of value and potential from their specific position. With Worilds being listed as a pass rusher, only Jerry Hughes of the Buffalo Bills and Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs were listed higher than Worilds.

Some might feel the ranking was a bit high for Worilds who was coming off a year where the Steelers placed the transition tag on him, paying him well over 9-million dollars for one year of service, and he produced 7.5 sacks and was credited with 59 combined tackles.

To Worilds' defense, both he and former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau stated publicly the team didn't utilize him as much as a pass rusher as they did dropping him into pass coverage. Although such an excuse could equate to a slight dip in his pass rushing statistics, it doesn't give a pass for sub-standard pay.

Some of the notable pass rushers Worilds was ranked higher than would include Pernell McPhee of the Baltimore Ravens, Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles, Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers (still listed on the commissioner's exempt list) and Brian Orakpo of the Washington Redskins.

The Steelers need to improve their pass rush heading into 2015, but whether the answer to that problem is bringing Worilds back, either signing him to a long-term contract or using another transition tag, will certainly be a hot topic among Steelers faithful this offseason.