Steelers Top 4 Most Likely Signings As Free Agent Tampering Period Opens

Welcome to free agency, Pittsburgh Steelers fans! Monday is an extremely important day. It marks the beginning of the NFL's legal tampering period where free agent players are able to officially begin negotiations with teams. The contracts will not be considered official until Wednesday (03/15), but Monday essentially marks the beginning of the 2023 NFL season. An extremely exciting and nerve-wracking time for Steelers fans.  

Free agency news will come fast and furious, as premier players will be coming off the board in a matter of hours. As the Steelers normally do, they will steer clear of household names such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Bobby Wagner. Instead, they will focus on finding the diamonds in the rough players who will help fill out positional needs and sign at a reasonable price. Below is a list of four free agent players who make sense for the Steelers to sign. 

Be sure to stay up to date with free agency news by visiting our site and following SteelerNation on Twitter. Let's start the list!

Free Agent #1 - CB: Rock Ya-Sin

There is no denying the Steelers’ need to address the cornerback position this offseason. Coming off a strong 2022 campaign with the Raiders, Rock Ya-Sin is a logical free agent candidate, especially when you consider the interest he received from the Steelers during the 2019 draft process. He has steadily improved throughout his career and has proved himself to be an above-average press corner who is a willing tackler. 

The plausibility of bringing in Ya-Sin would increase significantly if the Steelers decide to let Cam Sutton walk. General Manager Omar Khan has already acknowledged his desire to bring back Sutton, but there is a strong possibility that he quickly ascends out of the Steelers’ price range and they are forced to look elsewhere. Recent reports have linked Sutton to reunite with former Steelers' ILB coach, Brian Flores, and sign with the Vikings. If this is indeed the case, do not be surprised if Ya-Sin is seriously looked at by the Steelers as a cost-effective replacement.

Free Agent #2 - ILB: Leighton Vander Esch

The Steelers need a new inside linebacker, badly. As tempting as it would be to make a huge splash by adding Tremaine Edmunds, he may be simply too expensive for the Steelers. Will Pittsburgh be willing to take part in a bidding war for the services of Edmunds? Possible, but not likely. This is where Leighton Vander Esch comes in. The main concern throughout his career has been injuries, however, he has managed to stay healthy during the past two seasons, only missing three games. Vander Esch would also fit in nicely schematically, with the ability to be a three-down linebacker, which is something the Steelers have been searching for ever since the Ryan Shazier injury in 2017. 

Similar to Ya-Sin, there were numerous reports of the Steelers seriously considering spending their first-round pick in 2018 on Vander Esch before he was ultimately selected by the Dallas Cowboys. With both Devin Bush and Robert Spillane slated to hit the open market, it is more likely than not that the Steelers look to add a veteran inside linebacker at the very beginning of free agency. The free agent ILB class is especially deep this year, so do not be surprised if there are other players the Steelers will look to add if Vander Esch signs somewhere else. Other names at ILB to watch out for include Kyzir White (Eagles) and David Long (Titans). 

Free Agent #3 - OLB: Bud Dupree

Come home, Bud Dupree. He looks way better in black and gold than he ever did in the blue and white of the Tennessee Titans. Not only would he fill an immediate need at OLB3, but he may also be willing to rejoin the Steelers on a team-friendly deal. Will he sign with the Steelers during the first day of free agency on Wednesday? Or even the first week? Difficult to tell. He isn't coming off his most productive year, only notching 4 sacks, but also may end up choosing a new team sooner rather than later based on the free agent class of pass rushers not being particularly deep. 

At 30 years old, it is unlikely that many teams view Dupree as a starting outside linebacker. The Steelers would be one of those teams. Make no mistake if the Steelers sign him, Steeler Nation. Alex Highsmith is your starting OLB alongside TJ Watt. Not Bud Dupree. Highsmith is entering the prime of his career and is poised to build off his best season as a pro in 2023. Optimistically speaking, Highsmith will sign a long-term deal this offseason to avoid becoming a free agent in 2024. Dupree, on the other hand, would serve remarkably well in a rotational pass rusher role where he would be expected to play with the same intensity he did during his first stint in Pittsburgh. 

Free Agent #4 - ILB: TJ Edwards --- UPDATE EDWARDS SIGNS WITH BEARS 

Two inside linebacker free agents in one list? Yes, that is how deep the class is this year. Could the Steelers ever possibly add two starter-caliber free agent inside linebackers in the same offseason? Yes, both Devin Bush and Robert Spillane are also free agents. Furthermore, Myles Jack did not prove himself enough in 2022 to be the unquestioned starter and may end up being a cap casualty. The Steelers could save upwards of $8 million in cap space by letting Jack go. GM Omar Khan will have his pick of the litter this offseason when it comes to deciding the starting duo at ILB. 

TJ Edwards is what many NFL teams look for in an inside linebacker, including the Steelers. He performs extremely well in defending the pass, only allowing 3.6 yards per pass when the primary defender last season. He also was a tackling machine in 2022, ending the season with nearly 160 total tackles to go along with 10 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He would complement Leighton Vander Esch very well. TJ Edwards could perhaps serve as the long-term answer at ILB for the black and gold. 

Who Did I Miss For The Steelers? 

Alright, Steeler Nation, who else should the Steelers be targeting with the legal tampering period being opened up? Do you really think the Steelers would ever sign two big-name players at the same position? Let us know in the comments! 

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