The Pittsburgh Steelers may not have much cap flexibility, but they can still negotiate for the NFL’s top players to address critical team needs.
Like most NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2023 offseason with glaring roster deficiencies. Yet, unlike nearly half of the league’s franchises, the Steelers were unable to clinch a playoff berth, ending the 2022 season with a third-ranked 9-8 record.
Ending a season with nine wins would be impressive for some NFL teams, but for Pittsburgh, it’s a plunge into mediocrity. While the Steelers develop Kenny Pickett and retain Mitch Trubisky, they’ll need a boost from the rest of their roster to adequately compete in the AFC North.
Fortunately for the Steelers, there are several enticing free-agent options that are expected to become available by March 15. Bolstering the team on the defensive and offensive lines, the secondary and at wide receiver could give Pittsburgh the strength it needs to power through to another AFC North division title.
However, the Steelers are notably tight on cap space. Still Curtain’s Tommy Jaggi noted in February that the team has just over $1 million in cap space, but a few strategic cuts could free up at least $27.7 million in cap space.
Once the Steelers free up a considerable amount of cap space, are eight free agents who could reinvigorate the roster in the 2023 season.
Who should be on top of the Steelers NFL Free Agency board?
8. D.J. Chark, WR
The Steelers are famous for being able to consistently scout for the NFL’s prime wide receiving talent, whether it’s a sixth-rounder like Antonio Brown or a third-rounder like Diontae Johnson.
While the Steelers do have Johnson and George Pickens, they could use depth at the position, which is where D.J. Chark comes in. Chark has flashed talent in Jacksonville and Detroit, and while the 26-year-old could be heading to his third NFL team, it’s not for a lack of capability.
The Steelers organization proves year after year that it can bring out the best in receivers, and bringing in Chark would be more of the same in the best possible way.
7. Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Yannick Ngakoue is one of the bigger names to hit free agency this season, and it’s more likely than not that the Steelers choose to spread out their cap savings rather than splash it all on one player.
That being said, the team could still benefit from what Ngakoue has to offer, which is a consistent ability to make plays. The fact that he’s played for five different NFL teams in the past four years isn’t a demerit but a sign of adaptability. According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, Ngakoue has “recorded at least eight sacks in each of his first seven seasons — a feat that has been accomplished just five times in the history of the NFL.”
But Ngakoue may re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts, or it’s possible another NFL team could swoop in and reward the 27-year-old with a hefty contract. Ngakoue’s AAV in 2022 was $13 million, so even if the Steelers free up cap space, it would likely be a tight squeeze to fit him onto the roster.
Still, playing Ngakoue opposite T.J. Watt would create a nightmare pass rush that every team would fear, especially in the AFC North. After all, it’s the Cincinnati Bengals who believe Ngakoue would be an ideal fit for their team, which makes this acquisition all the more appealing.
6. Dre’Mont Jones, DE
An NFL team’s offensive line is, more often than not, its most pressing concern when entering free agency. And while the Steelers could benefit from a few vetted veterans on the offensive line, their defensive line could also use a serious rebuild.
ClutchPoints’ Tim Crean points out that “Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi, and Chris Wormley are all free agents, and All-Pro D-lineman Cameron Heyward will be 34 when the next season starts.” While Heyward holds the Steelers’ defensive line together, realistically, he won’t be able to do it for much longer. That’s why the Steelers need to prepare for the imminent future now and sign Dre’Mont Jones.
The 26-year-old defensive end has spent his entire NFL career with the Denver Broncos, quietly building an impressive resume during his four years there. So far, Jones has recorded 22 sacks, 28 tackles for a loss and 38 quarterback hits in his career. This past year, Jones was rewarded for his contributions to the defensive, playing 81 percent of the Broncos’ defensive snaps. In Week 8, he won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for producing seven tackles, three for a loss, and a sack in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones could be costly, but he is well worth ensuring the Steelers have a future after Heyward hangs up his cleats.
5. Jessie Bates III, S
Last year, safety Jessie Bates III made it clear that he wanted to be paid what he was worth by holding out for a significant payday from the Cincinnati Bengals. The lucrative contract never came to fruition, and Bates received a franchise tag worth $12.9 million instead.
Now, Bates is scheduled to hit the free agency market and play the field to finally earn what he believes he is worth in the NFL. After all, Bates is one of, if not the NFL’s best safety right now, and his next contract is expected to reflect that.
It’s always enjoyable to steal a fantastic player away from a divisional rival, but in this case, Bates truly could be a game-changer that helps the Steelers win a few more games in 2023. Behind The Still Curtain’s Dave Schofield aptly points out that “Terrell Edmunds and Damontae Kazee are free agents”, which means the Steelers could have an opening at the position for an upgrade like Bates.
Pittsburgh could very well bring back Edmunds and Kazee, but if they are able to give Bates a competitive offer, it would be foolish if they did not at least negotiate for the 26-year-old star safety.
4. Jamel Dean, CB
Back in November, Still Curtain’s Casey Sadekoski paired the Steelers with who he insisted is ” far and away the best cornerback prospect in free agency”: Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean.
“He is in his prime and would give Pittsburgh a true No. 1 corner that has been battle-tested and can handle almost any receiver in the game 1-on-1,” Sadekoski wrote.
This is exactly why the 25-year-old Dean has popped up as one of the top players available in NFL free agency in 2023, even though Dean hasn’t necessarily made a big name for himself while in Tampa. While a lion’s share of the Buccaneers’ spotlight was squarely focused on Tom Brady, Dean spent the 2022 season as the team’s top cornerback as he quietly enjoyed a solid season.
Dean has proven that he can lead an NFL secondary, and good cornerbacks always seem to be in short supply around the league. Dean ranks No. 17 on the NFL’s list of Top 101 Free Agents of 2023, and if his teammate Carlton Davis’ contract of $45 million for three years is an indication of anything, it’s that teams should be able to make competitive offers to follow up Dean’s meager rookie contract. If the Steelers are savvy, they can make a play and secure the cornerback position.
3. Donovan Smith, LT
As of now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t officially parted ways with left tackle Donovan Smith, but a split appears to be imminent as March 15 approaches. PewterReport.com reported that the team is expected to release Smith in order to clear up cap space, while Tristan Wirfs will move down the line and assume Smith’s former role.
Of course, there are bigger left tackles hitting free agency alongside Smith, such as Kansas City Chiefs star Orlando Brown and Tennessee Titans star Taylor Lewan. But if the Steelers continue to have limited cap space, they could still address their needs on the offensive line by signing Donovan Smith.
Smith isn’t coming off a strong 2022 campaign, but he excelled in 2021, indicating that the 29-year-old veteran is a valuable signing who could sign for even less than a year ago. Smith did hyperextend his elbow in Week 1 of last year, but as long as Smith remains healthy, he could reinforce the offensive line for a fraction of the cost of Brown or Lewan.
2. Lavonte David, ILB
With Tom Brady retiring from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — indeed, this is likely one of the factors that prompted Brady to retire — the Bucs have kicked off a ubiquitous fire sale where every top player must go.
Leonard Fournette is gone, and as discussed previously, Donovan Smith is expected to follow suit. Even the previous losses of Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul made a noticeable impact on the Bucs’ performance in 2022.
But there is no greater loss to the Bucs’ defensive roster and locker room than that of Lavonte David, an inside linebacker whose talents have long been overlooked. The 33-year-old linebacker is nearing the end of his career, which makes his next destination one that needs to be on the cusp of playoff contention.
A few shrewd moves and the Pittsburgh Steelers could easily be there, and with David in their scheme, the Steelers could benefit from one of the league’s preeminent defensive minds. David paired up brilliantly alongside Devin White in the team’s Super Bowl-winning season, and for a decade predating that, David was an unsung hero on an overlooked team.
Just like the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Steelers are a few moves away from being a much more solid, competitive unit. Even if David is costly, a short contract is worth it for this lauded defensive leader.
1. Javon Hargrave, DT
The Steelers’ defensive line is taking some costly hits this offseason, with three players heading into free agency: Tyson Alualu, Larry Ogunjobi, and Chris Wormley. Once again, Cam Heyward is 34 years old as he nears the end of his playing career, and the Steelers can only hope to build up their defensive line in the upcoming draft.
This is why defensive tackle needs to be a priority for the Steelers this offseason, and a reunion with Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave could be exactly what Pittsburgh needs.
The Steelers drafted Hargrave in the 2016 draft, and Hargrave played out his rookie contract in Pittsburgh before signing a three-year, $39 million contract with the Eagles. While returning to a former team doesn’t work out for every player, the Steelers could offer familiarity if they can spring for a position they need to fill above all others.
While Hargrave was with the Steelers, he racked up 14.5 sacks, a number he can only improve upon with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith playing alongside him, as CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr points out.
Kerr predicts that Hargrave’s contract could cost about $20 million per year on average, but he also notes that adding Hargrave would give the Steelers the best pass rush in the NFL. For that reason, Hargrave is well worth the price.