Pittsburgh Steelers Final Free-Agency Outlook and Predictions

Free agency begins in one week, and the typically low-spending Pittsburgh Steelers could be bigger players than usual. The Steelers currently have around $11 million in salary-cap space, owing to four contract restructures last week and Monday's release of wide receiver Lance Moore (via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

This is an unpredictable time, with spending dictated by the market just as much as it is by team needs. However, we can make a few educated guesses about what may happen. Here are five predictions for the Steelers' foray into free agency next week.

Expect More Roster Cuts

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Lance Moore's release may be the tip of the iceberg.

The Steelers released wide receiver Lance Moore on Monday, after restructuring four contracts to free up nearly $10 million in cap space a week prior. This gives the Steelers a significant amount of cash heading into free agency, but it's likely they will have even more than that when the new league year begins next week.

Potential roster cuts include safety Troy Polamalu, and defensive linemen Brett Keisel and Cam Thomas. Cutting Polamalu would save $3.75 million, while cutting Keisel and Thomas would represent cap savings of $1.5 million and $2 million, respectively, according to Over the Cap.

While there is no guarantee that the Steelers would make a splash in free agency with that much cash available, it is worth mentioning that for the first time in recent memory, the Steelers could be in a good financial situation. Whether they spend or not, the Steelers may finally dig out of their longstanding cap crisis.

Young Cornerbacks Are a Target

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Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert prefers to sign young free agents, especially at cornerback.

It's obvious that cornerback is an area of need for the Steelers defense this year, but the 2015 draft class is very top-heavy at the position.

While the Steelers could use a mid-round pick on a developmental talent, they will have to commit their first-round pick if they want to find an instant starter. Given their other needs—particularly at outside linebacker—Pittsburgh may be better off finding another cornerback in free agency instead.

This is something Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert discussed with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly. The Steelers won't be going after the more expensive veteran cornerbacks in free agency. Rather, it's youth that they are after.

Colbert said, "[Cornerback] would be a position where, sure, you're looking for help. Is there one that's available and signable?"

Further, Kaboly noted that the Steelers prefer "young depth free-agent signings," while Colbert confirmed, adding, "I kind of like that type of depth. It's an experienced, young depth, as opposed to the rookie that has to be thrown in."

So if there is any position the Steelers have circled in free agency, it's cornerback. Just don't expect a big name or an expensive payday for whoever they sign.

Steelers Haven't Given Up on Jason Worilds

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It's not yet a complete given that Jason Worilds will be playing elsewhere in 2015.

The deadline to either franchise or transition tag outside linebacker Jason Worilds has passed, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent. Though the Steelers are preparing to lose him to another team, it's not guaranteed that Worilds' time in Pittsburgh is done.

Given that the Steelers have freed up a significant chunk of money and could increase that amount in the coming days, they could have enough money to match or beat out a competing offer by another team. Granted, Worilds will be in high demand as a free agent, considering how many teams need a pass-rusher of his talent level and experience. 

But it's possible that the market may not give Worilds the cash he expects, allowing the Steelers to make an offer that is both fair and affordable. Worilds isn't the best pass-rusher, though he did have 7.5 sacks in 2014. But he is one who knows the Steelers' scheme. Plus, the Steelers are quite thin at outside linebacker, with Jarvis Jones the only starting-capable one on the roster at present. 

Should Worilds prove more of a value than expected, the Steelers could certainly make him an offer. 

Keep an Eye on Veteran Running Backs

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The best veteran backup for Le'Veon Bell is an affordable one, so the Steelers should wait at least a week into free agency to sign one.

There is value to be found in free agency, and the key to finding it is to not be too active too early. Anyone signed on the first three days is going to be overpriced. However, as the days and weeks wear on, price tags come down as players would prefer a job in the coming year to the highest payday.

The Steelers would be wise to wait until the frenzy dies down and then make a move for a veteran running back to pair with starter Le'Veon Bell.

Bell rushed 290 times for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, along with catching 83 passes for 854 yards and three more scores. However, he suffered a knee injury in Week 17 that held him out of the playoffs, highlighting the Steelers' need for quality depth at running back.

The 2015 draft class is loaded with running backs, so it would not be surprising if the Steelers added a young rusher with a middle-round pick. But they also need to bring in a veteran who can step in—especially as a receiver—to relieve Bell and to provide injury insurance.

There are a great number of talented free-agent running backs this year—running backs whose prices will be low, given the 2015 draft class and the nature of the position. The Steelers should just sit back and wait, perhaps a week or more, before signing one. Then they can get the player they want at a price that is more reasonable than what they'd pay on Day 1.

Ben Roethlisberger's Contract Extension Looms Large

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Roethlisberger is getting paid—and soon.

It's possible that the Steelers are freeing up cash at present to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a lucrative contract extension, one that should pay him at least $20 million per year in average value. Currently, Roethlisberger has a 2015 cap hit of over $18 million in combined salary and bonus, but his salary itself is low for a quarterback of his resume, at just $11.6 million.

The thing is, freeing up cash for Roethlisberger could ultimately free up cash for the Steelers. By extending him now, his cap hit can go down in 2015 while his overall payday goes up by converting a chunk of this year's salary into a signing bonus and then prorating that bonus out over the course of his contract.

Should the Steelers do this, it may point to their willingness to match offers given to outside linebacker Jason Worilds or to spend on a more pricey free agent than is typical for the franchise. It could also just allow the Steelers to stack up dollars for the future, something that hasn't been common for the team in recent years.