Fansided

3 free agents Pittsburgh Steelers need to target this offseason

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to taking on the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to taking on the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Pittsburgh Steelers free agency, Russell Okung
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 25: Russell Okung #76 of the Carolina Panthers in action against the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 25, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers. Russell Okung. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT. 2. 87

Okung’s value in free agency is really difficult to project. He possesses the talent to be an above-average starter at one of the game’s most valuable positions, but injuries dogged him this season in Carolina. He only managed to play seven games on the season for the Panthers.

That lack of reliability could depress Okung’s market once free agency begins. As mentioned previously, Pittsburgh needs to find a replacement for Villanueva if he departs as expected. Okung could prove to be a better player at a lower price if he can find a way to stay healthy.

The Steelers are not a franchise that can afford to gamble with the left tackle position. Roethlisberger has lost a lot of mobility at the quarterback position in recent years. He needs a solid pocket if he’s going to push the ball down the field with any efficacy. That’s why the odds are stacked against Pittsburgh trusting a rookie to successfully hold up as their starting left tackle in one of Roethlisberger’s final seasons.

Expect Pittsburgh to spend a lot of time doing background work on every left tackle that might shake loose in free agency. Finding an upgrade over Villanueva isn’t going to be easy. Okung gives the team the best chance to come out ahead on their virtual left tackle swap. He isn’t necessarily a long-term solution for the franchise, but he’s an above-average stopgap for a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers