Picking One Free Agent to Fill Each of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Holes

By (Featured Columnist) on March 11, 2013

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are never really big players in free agency and this offseason should not be any different.

That being said, the team will at least be interested in some free agents they can bring in at a cheap price that can provide depth.

Without including their own free agents, here are players at every need position that the team could possibly bring in.

List of NFL free agents from KFFL.com's NFL Free Agent Tracker.

Backup Quarterback

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Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Drew Stanton, Indianapolis Colts

The Steelers need to upgrade their backup quarterback situation with both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch free agents and not guaranteed to be back.

Drew Stanton is a five-year veteran and has been a career backup, with Andrew Luck being the most recent starter he has sat behind.

At 28, Stanton is still fairly young and the Steelers could tempt him. With Ben Roethlisberger’s style of play, he could get a shot to start some games.

Running Back

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Al Bello/Getty Images

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

 

Although I like both Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, the Steelers’ running game needs to greatly improve in 2013.

The team could end up drafting a running back early in April or they could opt to sign a veteran like Ahmad Bradshaw.

With all of his injuries, Bradshaw may not command the type of money you would think and he has shown the ability to not only run hard, but also block and be a solid receiver.

Wide Receiver

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Ted Ginn Jr., San Francisco 49ers

 

Since the Steelers have already been linked to former Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston, I will mention another option in Ted Ginn, Jr.

Although Ginn, was certainly not worth the ninth pick in the 2007 draft, he has become a really nice role player.

The biggest asset that Ginn will bring to the Steelers, more than as a receiver, will be his ability as a returner since the Steelers just waived Chris Rainey.

Tight End

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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Kevin Boss, Kansas City Chiefs

 

With Heath Miller uncertain to start the 2013 season, that leaves the Steelers with David Paulson as the assumed starter.

Like they did with Leonard Pope in 2012, I fully expect the Steelers to pick up a cheap veteran at the position as well as selecting one through the draft.

Kevin Boss has seemingly seen his career fade away since his time with the Giants. However, he has shown to be a good receiving threat while being a decent blocker.

Offensive Tackle

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Winston Justice, Indianapolis Colts

The Steelers hope they have their tackles for the future in Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams. However, they have no one at all behind them.

The team needs to add some kind of depth to the offensive line with as many injuries as they incur on that unit every single season.

Winston Justice just came off a season of protecting Andrew Luck and he would give the team depth at both tackle spots.

Defensive Tackle

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Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Pat Sims, Cincinnati Bengals

The Steelers may lose Casey Hampton this offseason, which will leave the team with Steve McLendon, Alameda Ta’amu and Hebron Fangupo at the NT position.

McLendon would certainly be the starter, but I think the Steelers would definitely look to at least add some veteran depth behind him.

Although the price could go up on 3-4 NTs with the amount of teams making the switch to the scheme, Pat Sims would be a good pick up and would add to the rotation on the defensive line.

Outside Linebacker

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Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Sergio Kindle, Baltimore Ravens

I think we have all heard by now that the Steelers have released James Harrison and Jason Worilds is now the expected starter for Week 1.

The Steelers could spend a first-round pick on the position, or they could try to pick up a cheap alternative to have as depth behind Worilds.

Sergio Kindle has never lived up to the hype he had coming out of college, but he is only 25 years old and maybe he can turn into the pass-rusher everyone thought he would be.

Inside Linebacker

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Will Witherspoon, Tennessee Titans

With the Steelers not tendering restricted free agent Stevenson Sylvester, that leaves them with Lawrence Timmons, Sean Spence, Brandon Johnson, Brian Rolle and Marshall McFadden on the roster.

Only Timmons and Johnson have any real experience and the team could decide to select an ILB early in April's draft.

The team could use veteran depth and Will Witherspoon. Though over 30, he could help the Steelers' defense.

Safety

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Chris Hope, Atlanta Falcons

The age and injury situations of Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu have been well documented, and the Steelers need someone who can come in and start if necessary.

Chris Hope was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2002 draft, and left in free agency after the 2005 season.

Hope helped the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks. This time around he would be adding much-needed depth at the position.

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