How Pittsburgh Steelers Can Win 2015 Free Agency

Behind a record-setting offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers were back in the playoffs as AFC North champions in 2014. As good as last season was, 2015 will be even better with a strong performance offseason.

Guided by general manager Kevin Colbert, the Steelers will look to solidify the depth on offense while upgrading the overall talent base of the defense. The draft will help fill some of these holes, but to find instant-impact players, he will have to focus on free agency.

As Colbert demonstrated last year, he is willing to spend on players outside of the organization if the price is right. In one of the most active free-agency periods of his career, he made seven cost-effective signings in 2014, albeit with varying results.

For the Steelers to contend once again in 2015, they do not need to go out and sign a top free agent such as Justin Houston. Instead, they need to make smart moves as they did last year by adding Arthur Moats and Brice McCain and fewer signings such as Cam Thomas.

An emphasis on quality and value in free agency will not only keep the Steelers in contention for the AFC North, but also put them in elite company as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Build Depth on Offense

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The dynamic trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell will once again lead a Pittsburgh offense that expects to return all 11 starters in 2015. Besides the personnel, the continuity of the offensive coaching staff will only mean good things moving forward.

Not only is Pittsburgh’s offense very talented, but it is young as well with only two starters—Ben Roethlisberger and Heath Miller—over 30 years old. There is quality depth at quarterback and on the offensive line and a burgeoning young talent in Martavis Bryant at wide receiver.

The only areas that are in need of an upgrade are depth at tight end and running back.

Behind Miller, the other tight ends lack experience and talent with Rob Blanchflower as the only other tight end currently under contract for next season. Although Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer could be brought back, there are better options that will be available.

One such option is Jordan Cameron, who does not want to return to the Cleveland Browns, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. If available, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentioned him as a potential, but unlikely, option for the Steelers:

“Cameron is a pass-catching tight end without much blocking pedigree, but he might be able to help bridge the gap between Heath Miller and the next tight end of the future unless, of course, the Steelers select one in the first few rounds of April’s draft.”

At 6’5” and 249 pounds, Cameron is a very good receiving tight end with 130 receptions and 1,600 yards in four seasons. He also has 10 touchdowns, including a career-high seven in 2013. However, he is not known for his blocking, which the Steelers like from their tight ends.

If they could get past that, Cameron would provide a second receiving threat at tight end and a valuable weapon in the red zone. Given his history with concussions, his price tag may be within range for the Steelers.

More important than a backup tight end is finding a quality option to play behind Bell at running back. Pittsburgh tried—and failed—with LeGarrette Blount last season, but they cannot afford to enter the year with only Josh Harris and Dri Archer behind their star back.

Name	Carries	Yards	Yards Per Carry	Touchdowns
Le'Veon Bell	290	1,361	4.7	8
LeGarrette Blount	65	266	4.1	2
Dri Archer	10	40	4.0	0
Josh Harris	9	16	1.8	0

These two were the most inexperienced backups in the league with a combined 19 carries in the regular season. Bell gets that type of production in one game, and for a three-down workhorse running back, the Steelers need a more dependable backup.

The playoffs provided a glimpse of life without Bell, and it was not pretty. The combination of Harris, Archer and Ben Tate combined for 15 carries for 43 yards and one fumble. Granted Baltimore has a talented defensive front seven designed to stop the run, but the Steelers needed better.

Bell ran for more than 77 percent of Pittsburgh’s rushing yards and had over 17 percent of its receiving yards. He will carry a heavy workload again next year as a three-down back, so it is essential that the Steelers upgrade their backfield depth.

Rather than depend on relatively unknown and unproven running backs, the Steelers could make a play for a high-end backup such as C.J. Spiller or could take a risk on Knowshon Moreno, who is coming off a knee injury. A more traditional backup, such as Roy Helu, would also fit in nicely with the Steelers.

The common thread between these players is that they have the ability to contribute in the passing game in addition to what they are capable of on the ground. A multidimensional backup will allow the Steelers to stay in their offense, thus minimizing the absence of Bell.

Find Playmakers for the Defense

There will be plenty of discussion regarding the moves that the Steelers make this offseason, but one thing that won’t be debated is the need to add playmakers on defense.

Outside linebacker and cornerback present the two biggest needs on the roster, and it is imperative that Colbert finds some answers. A lack of experienced players at each position—Jarvis Jones at outside linebacker and William Gay and Cortez Allen—under contract for next season makes both a major area of concern.

Name	Position	2014 Cap Hit	Age
Ike Taylor	CB	$7,692,403	34
Brice McCain	CB	$635,000	28
Antwon Blake	CB	$570,000	24
Jason Worilds	OLB	$9,754,000	26
James Harrison	OLB	$534,412	36
Arthur Moats	OLB	$635,000	26

The problem becomes whether the Steelers can address both positions or if their limited room under the salary cap will limit them to signing just one impact defender. Given their history in free agency, the latter is the more likely scenario.

At cornerback, Colbert can re-sign Brice McCain and Antwon Blake, giving the team four cornerbacks with significant experience. Though there isn't a true No. 1—or even No. 2 corner on the roster—it would at least provide new defensive coordinator Keith Butler with enough depth that he can find a young cornerback in the draft.

Of course, Colbert could explore the free-agent market for a starting cornerback. Numerous options would fit in well with Pittsburgh’s style of defense including Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Tarell Brown, Brandon Flowers and Byron Maxwell.

The 6’1” Maxwell will be one of the top cornerbacks on the market and potentially one of the most expensive. He is a young and talented defender who will be one of the most highly sought-after free agents in the league. Besides his talent, Maxwell’s experience playing in two Super Bowls for the best defense in the league will only inflate his value.

Rather than getting into a bidding war for Maxwell, the Steelers would be better served to kick the tires on some of the second-tier corners. If they elect to go this direction, the likelihood of signing a quality outside linebacker would decrease.

Instead, Arthur Moats would become a priority to not only re-sign, but to serve as a stopgap until a high draft pick is ready to start. For a team that has struggled to get to the quarterback over the past few seasons, that does not sound like the best option.

Name	Age	Rating	Snaps
Jason Worilds	26	11.7	998
Pernell McPhee	26	26	540
Brandon Graham	27	22.8	524
Jabaal Sheard	26	8.2	690
Arthur Moats	27	7.3	344

That places a greater emphasis on signing an outside linebacker. A good pass rush can help make a mediocre secondary look a lot better and is a wiser investment.

Jason Worilds is the likely target for the Steelers. They have spent years training him, and he has repaid them with 15.5 sacks and solid production against the run over the past two seasons. But is that enough to give him a lucrative contract?

Many would argue against the move because of Worilds’ inconsistent play and history of injuries. On a good defense with a top pass-rusher on the opposite side, he would be a fine player. However, to pay a premium for Worilds to be the top edge defender on a defense is risky.

Nevertheless, team president Art Rooney II hopes that Worilds will return, via Bob Labriola of Steelers.com:

“I can say I would like to have Jason back,” said Rooney. “Like anything else we’ll have to come to a contract agreement with him that both sides can live with, and we’ll see where that goes.”

There are several other pass-rushers on the open market who may provide a better value given their status as part-time players. Brandon Graham, Jabaal Sheard and Pernell McPhee are all options who the Steelers must consider if they want to look outside of the organization.

Graham still has the upside to develop into a very good pass-rusher, but he has performed better as a defensive end in the 4-3. The same goes for Sheard, who is better against the run than he is at rushing the quarterback.

That leaves McPhee, who had a breakout season last year with the Ravens. He finished the season with 7.5 sacks while playing in just 47.7 percent of the defensive stats, per Football Outsiders. His effort earned him the second-highest grade from Pro Football Focus for 2015 free-agent edge defenders.

The addition of one outside linebacker while retaining their free-agent corners will be a good start to the offseason for Pittsburgh’s front office.

Contract Extensions for the Stars

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

More than anything else, talent helps teams win football games, and two of the Steelers' best players are slated to become free agents after the 2015 season.

Ben Roethlisberger is the Steelers' best player and is coming off the best statistical season of his career. On the opposite side of the ball, Cameron Heyward finally displayed his first-round draft status last season and is arguably their best defender.

Both players are vital to Pittsburgh’s success, and both need to sign long-term contract extensions this offseason. Based how the front office re-signed some of the young talent to new deals last season, expect a deal for each player to get done.

Rooney II has made it very clear that Roethlisberger is a priority this offseason, via Bob Labriola of Steelers.com:

"

Obviously, we would like to get it done this offseason, and I think it’s fair to say the sooner the better, but I’m not going to put any particular time frame on these things. It’s kind of hard to predict how long it takes to get something done, but we certainly want to get something done this offseason. That’s for sure. It takes two to tango when it comes to contract negotiations. I’m not expecting a problem, but again, I hate to put predictions on those kinds of things.

"

Heyward will not command the same attention that Roethlisberger does, but that does not mean he won’t be a high priority. Not only did he tie for the team lead with 7.5 sacks last season, but he also emerged as a leader.

Roethlisberger and Heyward are a part of the foundation for the Steelers. As leaders of the offense and defense, these two are vital to the success of the team for not only the present, but the future as well.

Making a big-money move on the open market is exciting and makes for headlines, but securing two of your team’s franchise players to long-term deals is even more important. Regardless of what else happens this offseason, the Steelers can be satisfied if they are able to work out agreements with Roethlisberger and Heyward.

Signing those two players to long-term deals—that is how you win free agency.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com , all salary information is courtesy of Spotrac.com and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.  

Follow @ChrisG_BR