The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to have a productive free agency period in 2024. They have already made moves to create extra cap space by releasing Pressley Harvin, Mason Cole, Chukwuma Okorafor, and Mitch Trubisky. They are likely to free up even more cap space by either restructuring Allen Robinson II or releasing him as well. There are a lot of quality free agents available in positions of need for the Steelers, and according to a list from Mark Kaboly on The Athletic, some of them happen to come from the Steelers' biggest rivals.
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Patrick Queen (#6) during practice in Owings Mills, MD.
Kaboly broke his list of targets down into tiers, with the top tier being luxury signings. These are players you'd love to see on your favorite team, but in reality, it probably won't happen. Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen is at the top of this list. The Steelers have a need at inside linebacker, and it would probably be better to sign a proven veteran like Queen than to rely on a rookie to make an impact immediately. Kaboly gave his thoughts on the possibilities of Queen winding up in Pittsburgh.
"Queen would be the ultimate luxury signing. While it might seem far-fetched, never say never with Khan. The Steelers have struggled to find a reliable inside linebacker since Ryan Shazier’s injury in 2017, and Queen would be a perfect fit. With Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander coming off serious injuries (Alexander is also a free agent) and Mark Robinson struggling to take the step from special teamer to starter, the need is clear. Queen has never missed a game in his career and has averaged 114 tackles per season."
Queen is projected to sign a deal with $18.5 million in average annual value, which would rank third at his position. Queen will be just 25 at the start of the 2024 season and will be playing at a high level for the foreseeable future. Other players mentioned in the "luxury signings" portion of Kaboly's list include linebacker Devin White, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, and center Connor Williams.
Sam Greene / USA TODAY Sports
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd during the second quarter Sept. 11, 2022 in Cincinnati.
Kaboly's list then goes into players that would be considered logical fits, quality players that fill holes in the roster that don't necessarily break the bank. The Steelers need to add to their wide receiver room, and there are a few guys to be considered, including Gabe Davis of the Buffalo Bills and Tyler Boyd of the Cincinnati Bengals. Boyd would be the better option, as he is cheaper and can produce in the same ways as Davis.
Boyd has always been tabbed as a player that would wind up a Steeler, and Kaboly touches on Boyd's background being the reason why.
"The free agent receiver class is kind of lean, which could make Boyd a hot commodity. His physical style in the slot should interest the Steelers, and it helps that Boyd grew up in nearby Clairton, Pa., and played in college at Pitt."
Boyd has been in the league for eight seasons, all with Cincinnati. He will turn 30 halfway through the 2024 season, but he still produces at a high level when he needs to. He has had two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, and in 2023, he caught 67 passes for over 650 yards, while scoring two touchdowns. He has played through some rough seasons for the Bengals and he seems loyal to the city of Cincinnati after playing there for eight seasons. Because of that, it's hard to imagine him leaving to play elsewhere.
Getty Images
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith might be convinced that Kenny Pickett is the best option for 2024 Steelers.
Steelers' Arthur Smith Could Bring In Some Of His Favorite Free Agents
New Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is known for bringing some players from job to job. One of which being tight end Jonnu Smith, who played under Smith with the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers have a pretty full tight end room as is, with Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, and Rodney Williams under contract for the 2024 season.
Another one of Smith's former players that Kaboly could see in Pittsburgh is quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Both Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have said they want to bring in competition for Kenny Pickett, and Tannehill is an impending free agent who has a lot of experience with Smith as his offensive coordinator. Tannehill has the perfect balance of being able to compete for a starting job, but won't have the starting spot locked up as soon as he arrives in Pittsburgh.
What do you think of Kaboly's list of top free agent targets for the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
