Why LB Arthur Moats Is Steelers' Forgotten Free Agent

Though much attention has been paid to impending Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent linebacker Jason Worilds as well as the expected release of safety Troy Polamalu, one free-agent defender has gone under the radar: Arthur Moats.

Moats signed a one-year, $795,000 contract last March to provide depth at the outside linebacker position. A 2010 sixth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, Moats totaled 61 tackles, five sacks, a pass defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 59 games and 20 starts in Buffalo.

Though a depth addition for the Steelers, their thinness at outside linebacker forced Moats on the field for 350 snaps in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus, including 10 starts. In playing just 35 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps, he tallied 17 tackles and four sacks, along with three additional quarterback hits and 15 hurries. 

Team	Games	Starts	Tackles	Sacks	FF	FR	PD
Bills	59	20	61	5.0	2	1	1
Steelers	16	10	17	4.0	2	1	0
Total	75	30	78	9.0	4	2	1

On the year, Moats was Pro Football Focus' 17th-ranked outside linebacker, ahead of the likes of Trent Cole, Aldon Smith and Dwight Freeney. Though Moats has never had a starring role in any defense he's been a part of, his 2014 season is a strong argument for Moats seeing increased playing time—and for that playing time to come again with the Steelers.

With Worilds likely to move on in free agency and James Harrison also unrestricted and not expected back, the Steelers are thin yet again at outside linebacker. Given Moats' affordability and how well he played in 2014, he seems to be the best option for the Steelers to fill out their ranks this year. 

Further, Moats wants to remain in Pittsburgh.

In speaking with Steelers.com's Teresa Varley last month, he said,

"

I love this organization. Even though I was only here for one year, from top to bottom it's been a great experience...You don't want to be somewhere where winning four, five, six games a year is acceptable. You want to go where they feel like it's Super Bowl or nothing. That is the feeling here and that is part of why guys like it so much.

"

Moats added, "I would love to get [a contract] done sooner rather than later here. I love it here, my family loves it here."

Moats' lack of opportunities in Buffalo weren't about a lack of talent, though it is of course difficult for a sixth-round draft pick to rise to the ranks of starter. It also had to do with turnover of the coaching staff and front office—Moats had two head coaches, two defensive coordinators and two general managers in the four-year span he was in Buffalo.

Moats' sample size is relatively small. However, given that he was able to make a strong impact as a pass-rusher and run-stopper in his first year with a new system, it bodes well for his ability to take on a starter's-worth of snaps for the Steelers in 2015.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

That doesn't mean paying him $5 or $6 million per year. However, a two- or three-year contract valued at $1.5 to $2.25 million per year would be fair for a linebacker taking on an expanded role. That's a bargain compared to what Worilds is expected to command on the open market and far less than signing most of the higher-end edge rushing free-agency talent.

Moats ended up being a hidden gem free-agency signing for the Steelers a year ago, and now he's one of their most overlooked, under-the-radar free agents. But re-signing him would solve one of their more glaring problems on defense.

And instead of a marriage of convenience, Moats could pay major dividends for the Steelers moving forward. He's not just a stop-gap at outside linebacker but a highly capable player who needs the right opportunity.

The Steelers can afford to give Moats that opportunity and in return they will have less uncertainty about their crucial outside linebacker position heading into the 2015 season.