Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency: 6 Players the Steelers Should Target in 2012

With the NFL likely to resume business within the month and with free agency a hot topic since the draft, it's time to look a little bit further ahead and see who the Steelers might target come 2012. It's still really early and there are a ton of variables involved, but there's every reason to believe the rules governing free agency will change very little with the new CBA.

The Steelers are a team with an abundance of talent at virtually every position, so it's difficult to try to ballpark what their needs will be after 2011 free agency and after another full season of development from their youngsters.

Here's a look at six players the Steelers could target when 2011 is over.

Josh Scobee, PK

Why?

The Steelers currently have a definite need at kicker. They weren't able to nab Alex Henery in the draft and the free agent options for 2011 aren't very enticing (if you remove Adam Vinatieri from the list since he'll be too expensive) as long-term solutions.

Why Scobee?

He's got a strong leg, good accuracy marks and doesn't seem to get fazed too often by conditions. Kicking in Heinz Field is no picnic for any kicker, but Scobee looks to be the best of a 2012 market and would perhaps be near the top of the 2011 market as well.

He won't be a cheap get, but he won't be terribly expensive. He's also relatively young, so he could be an option to stick around for awhile if he can perform in these conditions.

Cortland Finnegan, CB

Why?

Corner figures to be a need for the Steelers next year too. Despite the drafting of Crezdon Butler, Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown, there's no consensus on who will start opposite Ike Taylor (if he's signed) if Bryant McFadden continues to fizzle. A lot of analysts aren't sure Brown, Allen or Butler will be starting caliber anytime soon.

Why Finnegan?

He's a tough player who plays the game well. He can make dumb penalties, but his fire and passion would play well on a defense with James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Lamarr Woodley. He's also a good corner who won't cost tons to bring in.

Finnegan plays aggressively, but has the physical tools to make up for it. He also could help create some turnovers, something the Steelers' corners have failed to do with any regularity for years.

Brian Hoyer, QB

Why?

Ben Roethlisberger isn't going anywhere. That's obvious. But his backups might be gone in 2012. Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch both have contracts that expire after this season. Neither is young enough to be considered a long-term piece. With several young backups figuring to be available, signing one to give Roethlisberger a long-term understudy seems like a smart move. Roethlisberger routinely misses at least some time each season, so a good backup is very important.

Why Hoyer?

He's looked good in limited action and is a student of one of the top offenses in the league. It never hurts to bring in someone that Bill Belichick has worked with. Hoyer also has a nice skill set. He's got a good arm, is decently accurate and can move a little. He's not starting material, but he could prove to be a good backup, particularly in a system like Pittsburgh's.

Steve Slaton, RB

Why?

Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman are both nice pieces and they both bring similar skill sets to the table. The problem, however, is that the Steelers don't really have a home run threat in the backfield. They need some speed and haven't had much of it since Willie Parker packed up and left. A speed back would be a nice compliment to the bruising style of the current stable of backs.

Why Slaton?

He enjoyed a great rise during his rookie season and then endured a great fall as Arian Foster overshadowed and replaced him last season. Lost in that is the reality that Slaton has excellent speed, but his durability is questionable and thus makes him unfit to play the featured role in the backfield.

In Pittsburgh, he could be a complimentary piece and a change of pace player. Both are roles he can fill and would help to keep the team's top two backs fresh and ready. He also flashed decent receiving skills, something that the team will likely lose with the expected departure of Mewelde Moore.

Kris Wilson, TE/HB

Why?

It seems like Matt Spaeth won't return this season unless he takes less money than he's expected to ask for, so the Steelers will have a need. They run a lot of two- and three-tight end sets, so they'll need someone in addition to David Johnson. Johnson is a free agent after 2011 too, so the need could be protracted by that point.

Why Wilson?

He's not consistent enough to start, but he's got decent hands and even can work in as a halfback or fullback in certain sets. His presence would allow the team to either retain Johnson or replace him with someone in the draft.

Wilson has some decent skills and, despite bouncing around, has proven to be valuable wherever he's played. He could fit well in Pittsburgh, where the team has a variety of uses for it's tight ends.

Leon Hall, CB

Why?

We've already covered the need at corner. Hall figures to be more expensive than a player like Finnegan. But the Steelers could use a corner with big-play potential to go with Ike Taylor, who is one of the better cover corners in the NFL. None of the current backups seem to have that potential, so looking outside would be wise.

Why Hall?

He can make big plays. He has decent coverage skills, although he's not the best. It would hurt a division rival if the Steelers signed him away from Cincinnati. Hall won't come cheaply and may not end up being available, but if he is, he's likely to be among the top corners on the market. Thus, he is someone the Steelers should pay some attention to during the offseason.

He would be a nice big-play pairing with Troy Polamalu and would also free up Ike Taylor to cover more instead of being asked to make big plays as well.