Steelers' Top Players to Consider for Franchise Tag, RFA Contract Tenders

In 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of 14 teams that exercised their right to use the franchise tag on a player. They utilized the bargaining chip to ensure one more season with pass-rusher Bud Dupree. 

The result was getting Dupree for 11 games this season in which he racked up eight sacks, and the Steelers were again one of the best pass-rushing teams in the league. 

The franchise tag is a useful tool for teams whether they want to buy some time to come to a long-term agreement or don't necessarily want to commit to a future with a free agent. 

This season, franchise tags could be even more in vogue. According to a report from Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN, there are those in the league who believe use of the tag could be more prevalent. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, the league's salary cap is expected to dip, and the projections for how much the tag will cost have gone down accordingly. 

That's an interesting nugget to keep in mind looking ahead at the Steelers offseason. The team isn't in the best spot financially, but it's possible to clear space through restructures, cuts and trades. 

Given the cheaper cost to tag a player and the amount of talent the Steelers stand to lose in free agency, the tag should be considered an option even if they don't use it on Dupree again. Here's a look at who they may want to consider and a restricted free agent to consider as well. 

Franchise Tag: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

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This is an example of how the lower price on tags this season makes it more possible that teams will use them. The Steelers are prepared long term to be without JuJu Smith-Schuster. The emergence of Chase Claypool in his rookie season and Diontae Johnson give them enough talented pass-catchers to ultimately move on. 

But if Ben Roethlisberger is coming back and making one more run with the Steelers, the team should be all-in on that last season. And that could mean keeping their receiving trio intact by keeping Smith-Schuster on the tag. 

Spotrac's projections place the price on tagging a receiver at $15.8 million. Compared to their estimated market value for the 24-year-old receiver of $16.1 million in annual average salary, that's actually a value signing.  

The other option that makes this intriguing is the potential for the Steelers to tag and trade Smith-Schuster. The 24-year-old has had mixed results in Pittsburgh, but the potential for him to be a receiver with over 100 catches and 1,000 yards in any season is still obviously there. 

As it stands, the Steelers are likely to lose him in free agency and would receive a third-round compensatory pick at best. Should they tag and trade him, they would hold the cards in pursuit of getting more return for their wideout. 

Ultimately, the tag could give them the opportunity to have him on the roster for the first part of the season, see how realistic it is they can contend next season and deal him at the trade deadline if things go south. 

Franchise Tag: OLB Bud Dupree

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This one is a long shot, especially after the ACL injury that ended Dupree's season early. But it's worth noting the possibility that Pittsburgh could re-tag the man they used it on last season. 

T.J. Watt gets the majority of the attention in the Pittsburgh front, but that shouldn't take away from the production Dupree has had in Pittsburgh. He has been a menace to opposing passers in the Steelers' blitz-heavy scheme and has 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons. 

The lower projected cost of franchise tags won't help them sign Dupree in this case, though.

He would be getting 120 percent of what his tag was worth last season, which would be $18.9 million. Given that his Spotrac market value projection has him making $18.2 million in average annual salary, that's actually close to in line with what he's expected to command. 

It's still a lot of cash to hand over to a team that is still in debt even with the retirements of Vance McDonald and Maurkice Pouncey. 

The upside to this move would be continuing to pair T.J. Watt with a capable pass-rusher while keeping future money available to sign Watt to a lucrative extension. 

Dupree will be 29 this season, so it's understandable if the Steelers would want to saddle themselves with the linebacker for one more season without committing to another long-term deal. 

Restricted Free Agent Tender: WR Ray-Ray McCloud

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The big-money franchise tag isn't the only decision the Steelers will have to make regarding non-traditional free agency. They also have a few players headed towards restricted free agency they can sign. 

Restricted free agent tenders essentially guarantee the offering team will have the ability to match any offer they get. First and second-round tenders come with the caveat that the team gets the corresponding draft compensation should they lose the player. 

The Steelers don't have anyone of that caliber on their list of restricted free agents, but they should be looking to keep Ray-Ray McCloud. 

The 24-year-old served as both the kick and punt returner for the Black and Yellow this season in addition to his receiver duties. He's a useful gadget player offensively as his four rushes for 65 yards showed, and he has reliable hands, catching over 90 percent of his targets. 

McCloud isn't likely to have a huge market, but he's a player who proved worthy of a roster spot in 2020. He's a low-cost option who could ultimately see an even bigger role in 2021. 

That's well worth making sure they make him an offer that will bring him back into the fold in Pittsburgh.