The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in the process of figuring out what the roster will look like in 2023, using OTAs and the mandatory minicamp as a gauge for where players are before training camp when the real battles for roster spots begin. General Manager Omar Khan was busy when free agency opened up in March making some significant improvements to the roster, but might not be done yet, with some money left over and some quality players still on the open market.
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Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (#7) was one the biggest names General Manager Omar Khan brought to Pittsburgh in his aggressive free agent spending spree.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Steelers have just over $15.7 million in cap space still to work with. While it might be fun to think about what the recently released DeAndre Hopkins could add to a receiving room with Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson, emerging receiver George Pickens, unknown speedster Calvin Austin III and Allen Robinson, it's way too much of a Madden type pipedream to consider. The former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans pass catcher is looking for a significant payday according to Pro Football Talk, and for the Steelers to get even within the right zip code of what Hopkins was making on his last deal the Cardinals tore up when they couldn't find a trade partner, they would need to spend pretty much all their money on the former 27th overall pick.
3 Realistic Free Agent Options The Steelers Should Consider In Relentless Search For The Best Possible Roster
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Rashaan Evans had a monster season for the Falcons and could help fill a hole in the Steelers' middle linebacker group.
Pittsburgh's middle linebacking core has gone through a significant remodeling this offseason. Gone are Myles Jack, Devin Bush Jr, and Robert Spillane. Entering are Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts to work with second-year Mark Robinson, who is ready to answer the bell as the only returning member of the unit from 2022. Despite confidence in the three men currently in the room, the team looks like they're still targeting another to join them.
Roberts and Robinson are both down-hill thumper types and Holcomb is more of a three-down sideline to sideline coverage linebacker. Pittsburgh seemingly is looking for another Holcomb type. The team brought in Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander for a visit, and while he still doesn't have a new deal anywhere, it shows the type of player the team is eyeing.
Rashaan Evans is a player the Steelers have been connected to for a while, there were even rumors the team wanted to jump up in the draft to get him. Evans had a career year after moving from the Tennessee Titans to the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. He recorded a career-high 159 total tackles while adding two sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries in 17 starts. Evans played in 98% of defensive snaps for the Falcons last year and could be asked to play a bit of a lesser role in Pittsburgh. Spotrac projected the veteran linebacker could get a two-year pact worth $4.5 million, but with it being June and yet to sign, his expectations might have to come down a bit. Despite being a first-round pick by the Titans in 2018, he's really only popped in one season.
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Potential Steelers free agent signing got a taste of what AFC North Football is all about playing with the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
If the team is looking for some serious pedigree to join the position group former AFC North rival Deion Jones could be a fit. The second-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, led the league in interception yards and touchdowns in his rookie season. He had a reduced role in his one season with the Cleveland Browns while he made his way back from injury after a trade from Atlanta. The Pro Bowler has over 100 combined tackles in every season he's played more than 10 games. He might not be the star the Falcons paid him to be, but after he left a visit with the New York Giants without a deal, a cheap deal in Pittsburgh doesn't seem out of the question.
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Veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy (#8) is a guy that could still make sense for the Steelers in free agency.
Pittsburgh already addressed its need for a veteran pass rusher behind Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt by signing Markus Golden to a one-year deal, but as the saying goes, you can never have too much depth. Right now after Golden, the team has inexperienced Quincy Roche and rookie Nick Herbig as the next men up on the depth chart. Steelers' new defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko is a former teammate of Kyle Van Noy and an exchange on Twitter signaled some potential interest maybe in joining forces with him again. Van Noy is a versatile linebacker with experience as a middle linebacker and an edge rusher. The two-time Super Bowl champion could certainly help to fill out the linebacking group.
What do you think of these options still on the market? Is there someone not on here who you think would be a good fit? Comment below!
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