Bargain Free-Agents Steelers Must Target
The Pittsburgh Steelers' August 9 preseason opener is right around the corner, and fans should soon get a glimpse of how the team's revamped offense might look.
New coordinator Arthur Smith won't tip his hand too much, of course, but fans should start to get an idea of how things will look in the post-Kenny Pickett era. The hope is that some combination of Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields will finally make the Steelers legitimate contenders in the AFC.
Even modest offensive improvements might be enough to yield Pittsburgh's first playoff win since the 2016 season, but there's still time to add a few more pieces to the proverbial puzzle. The Steelers have roughly $15.5 million in cap space available, and some quality veterans remain unsigned.
Here, you'll find a look at three free agents who could help Pittsburgh in 2024 and who should be available at a relative bargain.
WR Hunter Renfrow
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Pittsburgh needs to get the most out of its window with Wilson and Fields, as both are set to be free agents in 2025. Therefore, it would behoove the Steelers to ensure they have enough pass-catching talent around their quarterbacks.
At this point, though, receiver depth remains a question mark. The Steelers have their No. 1 receiver in George Pickens but a mishmash collection of receivers behind him—the group includes Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson.
Rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson might be Pittsburgh's top option for the slot, but he suffered a leg injury during training camp and remains "week to week," according to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot.
Pittsburgh could add a solid piece of insurance to the slot by signing former Las Vegas Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow. The 28-year-old battled injuries in 2022 and fell out of Las Vegas' offensive game plan last season. However, he was a 1,000-yard receiver and a Pro Bowler in 2021.
There's no guarantee that Renfrow can return to Pro Bowl form, of course, but with 73 games on his NFL resume, he'd at least give Pittsburgh a proven veteran option.
And while Renfrow is coming off a contract that paid him $16.2 million annually, he should be very open to a team-friendly "prove-it" deal after back-to-back underwhelming campaigns.
CB Eli Apple
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Defensively, the Steelers could use more cornerback depth. They have one quality starter in second-year player Joey Porter Jr. and they traded for Donte Jackson this offseason. However, they ranked just 20th in net yards per pass attempt allowed in 2023, and they parted with starter Patrick Peterson in the spring.
It would make plenty of sense to target a high-level corner like Xavien Howard or Stephon Gilmore ahead of Week 1. If the Steelers would prefer a budget option, however, they should consider Eli Apple.
A 2016 first-round pick of the New York Giants, Apple has his fair share of early NFL struggles. However, he became a fairly reliable starter with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 and 2022—campaigns in which he allowed opposing passer ratings of 86.6 and 96.8, respectively.
Apple joined the Miami Dolphins on a one-year, $1.6 million deal last offseason and provided solid depth. While he only started four games in Miami, he appeared in 10 and allowed an opposing passer rating of 91.4.
In Pittsburgh, Apple could provide similar depth value and do it at a very budget-friendly price point.
LB Shaquille Leonard
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Early in his career, linebacker Shaquille Leonard was a bona fide star. In his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he appeared in three Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro three times.
However, Leonard's production has waned since he underwent back surgery in 2022. He appeared in only three games that year and was released in-season by the Colts in 2023. He then joined the Eagles in December on a modest one-year, $1.6 million contract.
Now, the 29-year-old is searching for his next opportunity.
"I'm moreso just sitting back, getting the body healthy, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, we'll give it a try," Leonard said, per Kyle Smedley of the Indianapolis Star. "I just continue to be me by working hard."
The Steelers would be wise to take a flier on Leonard, given his past production and likely low price point. Pittsburgh bolstered its linebacker group by signing Patrick Queen and drafting Payton Wilson, but the potential upside of adding Leonard is too high to ignore.
When at his best, Leonard has been among the top linebackers in the entire league. If he can return to form, he could have a massive impact on a run defense that ranked just 21st in yards per carry allowed last season.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.
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