Steelers Top Remaining Free Agent Options
PITTSBURGH -- Welcome to free agency. The Pittsburgh Steelers have roughly $28 million of available salary cap space and a few more options to create even more spending money.
The way they've operated so far this offseason, they feel like a team operating on their sense of urgency. They have plenty of pieces in place but could certainly use some upgrades or fillers at a few positions.
Expect the Steelers to be spenders as free agency continues to ramp up. After Day 1, they added two, including a huge name at quarterback. Now, it's about filling out the rest of the roster.
Dream Team
Patrick Queen, ILB
It's tough to say a star inside linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens is making his way over the Pittsburgh. It's also tough to say the Steelers would be willing to pay $18 million per year to another linebacker, which is what his market value is listed at.
Still, if they want a sure thing on the inside and want to finally stop worrying about the position, Queen is the easiest solution — and easily the most surefire.
He's athletic, has the ability to run stuff and cover in pass, and has developed in one of the best defenses in football. One Mike Tomlin and the Steelers know all too well.
He's 24 years old and coming off his best season as a pro, earning his first Pro Bowl. If Baltimore can't keep him, Pittsburgh has the opportunity to take a swing. Again, if they're devoted to finally putting an end to the stopgap band-aids they've tried to cover the hole with, Queen is the top solution by far.
Justin Simmons, S
Justin Simmons would be as good of an addition to the Steelers defense as you can get, and even at 30 years old and still holding a market value of $11.1 million per year, he's well worth the contract.
That being said, Simmons may make the Steelers' secondary everything they've hoped for and more. He and Minkah Fitzpatrick would be the best safety duo in the NFL - no questions asked - and could take plenty of pressure off of Joey Porter Jr. and the rest of the cornerbacks.
Simmons would've made his way into the 'Makes Too Much Sense' tier if the Steelers wouldn't be spending $30 million on their safeties.
Feels Like They Might Hit The Lotto
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB
Gardner-Johnson isn't going to be worth the money Baker or Simmons is, but he may be just as big of a signing. He's 26 years old and 12 interceptions in his five years in the NFL. That includes last season when he played just three games.
The former Detroit Lion can play safety and the slot, and is the versatile piece Pittsburgh is looking for. If they can ink him to a one or two-year deal, they should be able to get him cheap. From there, if things work out, they have a young safety to pair up with Fitzpatrick long-term.
Gardner-Johnson is the best risk Pittsburgh can take - if they don't sign the two listed above.
Chase Young, DE
Chase Young was linked to the Steelers at the trade deadline, and All Steelers has been told that interest remained throughout the year. He's not the superstar his first-overall pick status should've made him, but he's still young - very young.
At the start of the season, Young will be just 25 years old and coming off a 7.5-sack year with the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers. He may not turn into the superstar whoever signs him hopes he does, but he may - and if he does, he's worth every penny.
This is a big risk but a reward for the Steelers. He'll be worth over $10 million for a one-year deal. No security. No guarantee he works out. But more upside than any player on the open market, hands down.
Tre'Davious White, CB
White doesn't fit the bill of a young option with some serious upside. Instead, he's a 29-year-old coming off two injured seasons that could still probably return to his All-Pro form. With 18 career interceptions, White is a proven commodity in the NFL.
The only concern is whether or not he'll be able to stay healthy. He's a risk, but one that's worth taking.
Makes Too Much Sense
Jerome Baker, ILB
The only issue when it comes to signing Jerome Baker is that his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he was released due to a failed physical. Last season, he battled a dislocated wrist and an MCL. If he's 100% before the beginning of the season, there are no worries. But with Cole Holcomb already uncertain heading into the summer, the Steelers may not want two injured linebackers.
Now, injuries aside, this signing makes all the sense in the world. The Steelers were big fans of Baker coming out of Ohio State, and since joining the league six seasons ago, he's been an impact player for the Miami Dolphins year after year.
He's athletic and great in pass coverage, and with plenty of game left in his career, is a young option to add to the inside linebacker room for Pittsburgh.
Tyler Boyd, WR
Tyler Boyd said he'd be open to finishing his career in Pittsburgh, coming back to his hometown to play in front of the Steel City fans while wearing a Steelers uniform. It'd be a bit different from the previous times he showed up at Acrisure Stadium.
Still, Boyd is a slot receiver who fits what the Steelers need perfectly. He's reliable, consistently a 700 to 800-yard receiver, and has the ability to move outside and be effective when called upon.
The Steelers shouldn't hesitate to toss an offer at Boyd. Even if they're thinking about adding another name in the NFL Draft, they should try to find a security blanket with Boyd. That would then open the door for an possible Johnson trade that has been rumored.
D.J. Reader, DT
Why not bring another former Bengal to Pittsburgh? Reeder is the second-best option to Wilkins, and could be the right call for the Steelers. He holds a market value of $44.7 million over three years and is entering the season at 29 years old.
What Reader does probably better than any other defensive line option on the market is solving the run defense issue the Steelers have had over the last few seasons. At times, they're defensive front just can't slow down runners, and adding Reader would be a major step toward strengthening that weakness.
Depending on how the Steelers view Larry Ogunjobi, Reader could play alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton, and would probably fit well in the middle as a nose tackle if Pittsburgh needed him to be - allowing Benton to move over.
Again, if the defensive line is on their mind, Reader makes sense for the Steelers.
Brian Allen, C
After the Mitch Morse signing in Jacksonville, this is now the Steelers' top option. Brian Allen makes sense for the Steelers with the only concern being his injury history. He's completed just one full season in his NFL career, and last year played just five games due to a strained calf. In the last two years, he's played just 12 games.
He'll likely be cheap, and if the Steelers feel he's healthy and are willing to take some risk, he's worth a shot at 28 years old.
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