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5 TARGETS
The
Steelers narrowly missed the playoffs in 2018, but a few solid free agency
acquisitions could help them return to the postseason next season.
No one in Pittsburgh is happy with the fact that the
Steelers finished 9-6-1 last season. This team has entirely too much talent to
miss the postseason. Unfortunately, an abundance of drama in the Steel City
derailed this team’s chances to make serious noise in 2018.
Next season is a different issue though. The contract
saga of Le’Veon Bell will almost certainly leave town. It’s possible the
franchise will also move on without Antonio Brown’s off-field antics as well.
No matter how you slice it, Mike Tomlin is going to do his best to get the
focus back on football next season.
His roster isn’t perfect though. As always, the Steelers
will concentrate most of their offseason energy trying to build through the
draft. Pittsburgh shouldn’t ignore free agency though. There are quite a few
veterans who could really help them get over the top. Read on to identify five
free agents who can really help Tomlin and company make a deep run into next
year’s postseason.
5.
MARK INGRAM
James Conner did an admirable job of filling in for Bell
last season. He did a particularly good job catching the football out of the
backfield. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite the runner that the Steelers offense
needed him to be.
Pittsburgh finished next to last in the NFL in
rushing yards per game last season. Part of that can be attributed to their
talent in the passing game, but its obvious Tomlin would prefer more balance.
That means the franchise needs to find a running back to pair with Conner next
year.
Signing Ingram would be a perfect complement to Conner’s
skills. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry as Alvin Kamara’s sidekick in New
Orleans this season. The Steelers shouldn’t offer the veteran a massive deal,
but he’d be a great offensive addition if the price is right.
4.
JORDAN HICKS
Tomlin’s defensive scheme relies on talented linebackers
who can make plays from sideline to sideline. The Steelers’ defense has never
really recovered from the loss of Ryan Shazier. His ability to really run
covered up a lot of his teammates’ weaknesses.
Hicks isn’t the athlete that Shazier was before his
injury, but he is definitely a guy who can make plays all over the field. He
predominantly played for the Eagles as an outside linebacker, but he’s a really
good fit for what Pittsburgh looks for on the inside.
The fact that Hicks is still just 26 years of age also
means that signing him would give Tomlin another young linebacker to build
around. He’d fit right in with T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree to form a really
intriguing group of players in the prime of their respective careers.
Again, Hicks isn’t a guy who is going to demand a massive
contract in free agency. The Steelers should look to strike quickly to steal
him away from their in-state rivals. He’s not the free agent signing that will
dominate the headlines, but he’ll help this defense continue to be a top-10
unit for years to come.
3.
TYRANN MATHIEU
Whereas signing Hicks would go under the radar, bringing
the Honey Badger into the fold would get a lot of people in Pittsburgh pretty
excited. The Steelers defense was pretty good last season, but adding a
playmaker like Mathieu in the back-end might nudge it up to great in 2019.
We really like what Morgan Burnett gives the team at
strong safety, but Sean Davis isn’t dynamic enough at the free safety spot.
Specifically, that’s where we could see Mathieu making a massive impact.
Davis only had one interception last season. A team that
generates as much pressure on the Steelers should really pride themselves on
takeaways at the back-end. Mathieu isn’t the same sort of physical presence
that Troy Polamalu was in his prime, but he’d give Pittsburgh an All-Pro
caliber player at safety.
It’s very possible that Mathieu is going to incite a
small bidding war this offseason. The Steelers should strongly consider making
him their No. 1 target in free agency. It’s possible the contract demands could
get silly, but as long as they stay within reason, Pittsburgh should push to
bring the Honey Badger to the Steel City.
2.
DARYL WILLIAMS
Tackle doesn’t project as a massive need for the Steelers
in 2019, but guys who can play at an All-Pro level don’t come available very
often. That’s why Tomlin and company should at least consider the idea of
bringing Williams to Pittsburgh.
Clearly, his medicals will be important. He only played
one game in Carolina last season before going down with a serious knee injury.
The Panthers originally hoped he could come back later in the season, but his
recovery didn’t make that possible.
When Williams is healthy, he’s arguably the best right
tackle in football. In particular, he’s a guy who can blow open massive holes
in the run game. Given Ben Roethlisberger’s advancing age, that’s something
that should become more and more important to the Steelers in the near future.
Remember, the Steelers current starter at right tackle
also ended up on injured reserve last year due to a knee injury. Marcus Gilbert
is also 30-years-old. Acquiring a better player who is four years younger could
be really prescient business for Pittsburgh. Admittedly the Steelers don’t need
Williams, but he could really upgrade their offensive line if he is available
at the right price.
1.
DEE FORD
Ford may not always line up in the right spot, but he
frequently ends plays in the opposing backfield. The Steelers, along with every
other team in the NFL, can use a disruptive force like Ford on their team.
It’s very likely the Chiefs will go to great lengths to
keep him in Kansas City for years to come, but Pittsburgh should at least make
their AFC rivals pay for the privilege. If you draw up the ideal outside
linebacker to flourish in the Steelers’ 3-4 system you’ll come up with a guy
who looks a lot like Ford.
Tomlin’s entire defense would benefit greatly from adding
a player who can consistently produce double-digit sacks from the outside
linebacker spot. Ford got to the opposing quarterback 13 times last
year. Ironically, that’s the same number that T.J. Watt produced for
Pittsburgh. Imagine putting one of them on each side of the formation to wreak
havoc.
Clearly, Ford is going to be in a position to get a
massive contract. If the Steelers want to win the race for his services they’ll
need to make a big offer. That might require some salary cap calisthenics from
the Steelers front office, but it’s the kind of big move the team needs to make
if they want to make a Super Bowl run in 2019.
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