I have had a few weeks to think back on the Steelers season, and now it's time to look at what the offseason shall bring.
Here is a list of the 21 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) that the Steelers have this year:
Wide Receiver (3): Plaxico Burress, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders
Running Backs (3): Jonathon Dwyer, Felix Jones, LaRod Stephens-Howling
Tight Ends (2): David Johnson, Michael Palmer
Offensive Linemen (3): Fernando Velasco, Cody Wallace, Guy Whimper
Defensive Linemen (3): Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Al Woods
Linebackers (3): Stevenson Sylvester, Jamaal Westerman, Jason Worilds
Defensive Backs (2): Will Allen, Ryan Clark
Specialists (2): Matt McBriar, Greg Warren
The Steelers also have one Exclusive Rights Free Agent in offensive lineman Eric Olsen.
I would say their number one priority in free agency is resigning Jason Worilds who led the team in sacks last season with 8 sacks. The Steelers also spent a first round pick on Jarvis Jones, and I don't think they want him to sit on the sidelines for much longer. However, this leaves the Steelers in a pickle with another outside linebacker on the roster, LaMarr Woodley. They gave him a big contract a couple years ago, so I think it's a bit of a cap hit to cut him. But he's been hurt the last few years and hasn't had double digit sacks since 2010. So if the Steelers resign Worilds, they may be cutting bait with Woodley.
Other free agents I would like to see them keep:
Jerricho Cotchery, WR - He's Hines Ward Lite...he makes a lot of catches, including the tough ones. If you hit him, he gets back up and makes a big catch. He's great out of the slot. He may not be fast, but he runs precise routes and catches the ball when it's thrown his way. He's reliable, and that's what you need in a receiver more than anything.
Jonathon Dwyer, RB - He's not going to start unless Le'Veon Bell is hurt. However he'll get you some tough yards and is a great change-of-pace backup for Bell. The Steelers cut him in training camp last year and then resigned him when they couldn't muster a running game while Bell was hurt to start the season. I think the Steelers would like to bring him back in the role he played behind Bell this year.
Fernando Velasco, OL - He played very well at center with Maurkice Pouncey getting put on IR in the first game of the year. He's be a great backup to the oft-injured Pouncey and could probably start at guard over Foster. He also played under our new offensive line coach Mike Munchack, so he would help the offensive line adjust to what Munchack wants them to do.
Guy Whimper, OL - The guy isn't the best tackle in the NFL, but he played pretty damn well last season when called upon. Even if he's just there for depth, I like him and would like to see the Steelers bring him back.
Brett Keisel, DL - I would love for them to bring The Beard back for at least one more year. He's like a coach on the field, and even if he's not a starter anymore he's still a damn good player who can help keep legs fresh in the trenches. He should never wear another uniform.
I think those are the guys the Steelers need to bring back most of all.
Now you may be wondering about first round pick Ziggy Hood. He hasn't been all that impressive. With the Steelers always being up against the cap, and Hood losing his starting job to Heyward who is a stud at DE for us, I think the Steelers let Hood test free agency. They want to see what he's offered before making an offer. I think they have a number in mind that they're willing to pay him, but they want to see if they could either get him for less...or if a team wants to overpay for him, and then get the comp pick for him instead.
The Steelers don't make splash signings in free agency. However, they need to fill some holes on defense. They haven't had a pocket collapsing, run stopping NT since Casey Hampton wasn't resigned. The NT is the lynchpin of the Steeler's 3-4 defense. We need a guy who other teams have to often double team. This way the offensive line is dealing with our three defensive linemen allowing our linebackers to make the "splash plays."
I think the Steelers might look at B.J. Raji of the Packers, Paul Soliai of the Dolphins, and maybe another guy or two. Soliai probably will be too expensive, and might end up back with the 'Phins. I think the Packers are going to let Raji test free agency. If he isn't signed in that first wave, or if he's not getting super big offers (which I don't think he will), the Steelers may kick the tires on him. He's shown that he could be that kind of NT, and maybe he just needs that change of scenery. But the Steelers aren't going to overpay for the guy.
If they don't get a NT who can start in free agenct, and they likely won't, look at the draft.
I have seen mock drafts where they take a nose tackle, wide receiver, corner, and safety at this pick.
Ike Taylor is getting old and didn't play so great last season, if he doesn't take a pay cut this year he may find himself cut. Even if they keep him, they need a corner for the future. The Steelers let Keenan Lewis walk and become a Saint, which might have happened no matter what because that's his hometown team.
It's likely the Steelers will go into the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starting corners. William Gay is a fourth corner at best, in my opinion. I don't think they have a future starter on the roster after Cortez, so the Steelers will be looking to upgrade this position. The Steelers have had luck developing later round corners into starters such as Taylor, Lewis, and Allen. So there's no guarantee the Steelers go this rout in the first two rounds.
I have also seen the Steelers tied to a wide receiver in some mock drafts. GM Kevin Colbert said that the Steelers need to build around Ben Roethlisberger...and it's about time they see that! Ben has wanted a tall receiver since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season. Plax did return, but didn't play much and then got hurt. He won't be back this season.
I've seen the Steelers linked to players such as the former USC playmaker Marqise Lee, and Florida State National Championship game hero Kelvin Benjamin. Either player I think would be welcomed by Roethlisberger as a play maker in the passing game. If they don't go WR in the first round, they'll likely go there in the second.
Safety is another need. Troy Polamalu plans to play out his contract and then retire, which means he wants to play this year. He played well last season for the first time in a while because of injuries. But even if he plays and plays well all season, who's playing across from him? I don't think the Steelers want to bring back Ryan Clark who played poorly last season. I don't think they want to start Shamarko Thomas across from Polamalu because he was drafted to be the eventual replacement. They've been linked to a few safeties with some ball skills. Calvin Pryor of Louisville is one of those safeties, and not only can he hold his own in coverage the guy hits like a sledgehammer, something the Steelers covet in their defensive backfield. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is another guy who the Steelers would love if he's there.
And like I said before, the Steelers could go and get that lynchpin of the defense in nose tackle. I have seen them linked to Louis Nix of Notre Dame if he's there.
What will be the hardest thing for me to do in the coming days is work on my next blog, a full first round mock draft. I like all these players for the Steelers, and more than one should be available at 15th overall.
Well that's my offseason outlook for the Steelers! Keep an eye out for my first full first round mock draft!
Now you may be wondering about first round pick Ziggy Hood. He hasn't been all that impressive. With the Steelers always being up against the cap, and Hood losing his starting job to Heyward who is a stud at DE for us, I think the Steelers let Hood test free agency. They want to see what he's offered before making an offer. I think they have a number in mind that they're willing to pay him, but they want to see if they could either get him for less...or if a team wants to overpay for him, and then get the comp pick for him instead.
The Steelers don't make splash signings in free agency. However, they need to fill some holes on defense. They haven't had a pocket collapsing, run stopping NT since Casey Hampton wasn't resigned. The NT is the lynchpin of the Steeler's 3-4 defense. We need a guy who other teams have to often double team. This way the offensive line is dealing with our three defensive linemen allowing our linebackers to make the "splash plays."
I think the Steelers might look at B.J. Raji of the Packers, Paul Soliai of the Dolphins, and maybe another guy or two. Soliai probably will be too expensive, and might end up back with the 'Phins. I think the Packers are going to let Raji test free agency. If he isn't signed in that first wave, or if he's not getting super big offers (which I don't think he will), the Steelers may kick the tires on him. He's shown that he could be that kind of NT, and maybe he just needs that change of scenery. But the Steelers aren't going to overpay for the guy.
If they don't get a NT who can start in free agenct, and they likely won't, look at the draft.
I have seen mock drafts where they take a nose tackle, wide receiver, corner, and safety at this pick.
Ike Taylor is getting old and didn't play so great last season, if he doesn't take a pay cut this year he may find himself cut. Even if they keep him, they need a corner for the future. The Steelers let Keenan Lewis walk and become a Saint, which might have happened no matter what because that's his hometown team.
It's likely the Steelers will go into the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starting corners. William Gay is a fourth corner at best, in my opinion. I don't think they have a future starter on the roster after Cortez, so the Steelers will be looking to upgrade this position. The Steelers have had luck developing later round corners into starters such as Taylor, Lewis, and Allen. So there's no guarantee the Steelers go this rout in the first two rounds.
I have also seen the Steelers tied to a wide receiver in some mock drafts. GM Kevin Colbert said that the Steelers need to build around Ben Roethlisberger...and it's about time they see that! Ben has wanted a tall receiver since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season. Plax did return, but didn't play much and then got hurt. He won't be back this season.
I've seen the Steelers linked to players such as the former USC playmaker Marqise Lee, and Florida State National Championship game hero Kelvin Benjamin. Either player I think would be welcomed by Roethlisberger as a play maker in the passing game. If they don't go WR in the first round, they'll likely go there in the second.
Safety is another need. Troy Polamalu plans to play out his contract and then retire, which means he wants to play this year. He played well last season for the first time in a while because of injuries. But even if he plays and plays well all season, who's playing across from him? I don't think the Steelers want to bring back Ryan Clark who played poorly last season. I don't think they want to start Shamarko Thomas across from Polamalu because he was drafted to be the eventual replacement. They've been linked to a few safeties with some ball skills. Calvin Pryor of Louisville is one of those safeties, and not only can he hold his own in coverage the guy hits like a sledgehammer, something the Steelers covet in their defensive backfield. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is another guy who the Steelers would love if he's there.
And like I said before, the Steelers could go and get that lynchpin of the defense in nose tackle. I have seen them linked to Louis Nix of Notre Dame if he's there.
What will be the hardest thing for me to do in the coming days is work on my next blog, a full first round mock draft. I like all these players for the Steelers, and more than one should be available at 15th overall.
Well that's my offseason outlook for the Steelers! Keep an eye out for my first full first round mock draft!
