Steelers plan to meet with Kelvin Beachum's rep at the NFL Combine

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some key free agents, on both offense and defense, prepared to hit the open market on March 9th when free agency officially begins. On the offensive side of the ball, no free agents are bigger than the man who protects Ben Roethlisberger's blind side -- Kelvin Beachum.

Beachum has been a stellar starting offensive tackle, after being drafted in the 7th round, and now Beachum is looking to get starting left tackle money on the open market. The Steelers reportedly met with Beachum on several occasions before the season, but failed to ink a deal. With the Steelers' policy on not negotiating contracts during the season, the deal would have to wait until the 2015 season was in the books.

It was during the 2015 season Beachum tore his ACL, causing him to miss the remainder of the season, and also damaging his stock on the open market.

The Steelers haven't given up talking with Beachum before free agency begins, and are planning on opening up the lines of communication again with Beachum's representatives at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Steelers are expected to meet with left tackle Kelvin Beachum's rep this week at the NFL combine. Team must decide whether to sign Beachum now or let him hit open market. Beachum is considered the team's top free agent.

The Steelers have free agents in both Beachum and Ramon Foster, and it is largely accepted the team would like to bring back at least one of those pieces of the puzzle along the offensive line. Communication between the Steelers and Beachum doesn't mean a deal is imminent, or even a possibility, but the Steelers certainly want to see what Beachum's asking price is to give them an idea as to what it might cost if they want to try and wrap up a new deal prior to the March 9th free agent frenzy beginning.