Pittsburgh Steelers free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a ball before an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5 of 5

CARSON, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 13: Tight end Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

1. TE Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers)

It’s a position the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to fill since the retirement of two-time Pro Bowler Heath Miller. The team has utilized the draft, free agency and the trade route to try and fill the void left by the 11-year pro. The 2005 first-round pick totaled 592 receptions, good for 45 scores, was part of three Super Bowl teams and missed only eight games during his unsung career.

In ’15, the club used a fifth-round pick on Penn State tight end Jesse James. In four seasons with the club, he played in 56 regular-season contests and totaled 120 receptions for 1,189 yards and nine scores. He excelled in the 2016 playoffs with 11 catches for 137 yards in three contests. But last offseason, he left for Detroit via free agency. Of course, that had a lot to do with the Steelers giving the San Francisco 49ers a fifth-round draft choice in 2017 for Vance McDonald. He enjoyed a career year in ’18 with 50 catches for 610 yards – to go along with four scores. But he’s been banged up during his short stint in the Steel City.

With all the injuries, the team traded for Nick Vannett early in the season and he came up with 13 catches for 128 yards in 13 contests. But the former Seattle Seahawks’ performer is also a potential unrestricted free agent come March.

More fansided.com: Super Bowl 54 preview, Joe Burrow thoughts and more

IF the Pittsburgh Steelers have enough cap room by the time the NFL’s fiscal year begins on March 18 and are so inclined to make a big splash, they could do worse than bring on talented Hunter Henry. Injuries saw him miss the entire 2018 regular season (he appeared in 1 postseason game). But in 41 outings from 2016-17 and ’19, he racked up an impressive 136 receptions for 1,709 yards and 17 scores. And Henry comes off a season in which he totaled career bests in both catches (55) and receiving yards (652) in just 12 contests. But he likely won’t come cheap.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers