NFL free agency grades: How did each team do?

Pittsburgh Steelers

As usual, the Pittsburgh Steelers were quiet in free agency, but, as last year proved, sometimes that’s a good thing.

The Steelers only piece of unwise business was signing a fullback to nearly $10 million over three years, and it may not have been a good idea to deal a fifth-round pick in order to acquire a backup defensive lineman from the Baltimore Ravens. But if those were Pittsburgh’s worst moves of the offseason so far, then they’ve done pretty well.

Pittsburgh extended a second-round tender to breakout defensive back Mike Hilton while letting massive busts Artie Burns and Sean Davis walk. After Bud Dupree finally put it all together as an edge rusher, the Steelers rewarded the talented speedster by franchising him.

But the Steelers biggest move of the offseason was signing Eric Ebron from the Indianapolis Colts. A two-year, $12 million deal is a steal for Ebron, who was fabulous in 2018 in Andrew Luck’s final year in the league. He can be a go-to guy for Ben Roethlisberger, who will get to have one of the league’s most athletic two-tight end sets with Ebron and Vance “Stiff Arm” McDonald on the field.

The Steelers desperately needed a creative upgrade on offense, and Ebron can be the difference-making tight end Ladarius Green never had the opportunity to be. At $6 million per year, Ebron is tremendously undervalued, and it’s easy to forget he’s still only 26.

Grade: B+