Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency: 5 Value Players That the Steelers Should Sign

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not a franchise that looks to build its team through free agency.  Free agency is a period in which the team often looks to fill role positions on the roster.

Guys like Mewelde Moore, Arnaz Battle and Flozell Adams have all come in and played parts that appear minor to the average fan but in reality are vital as far as team ethos goes.

You won't see the Steelers breaking the bank for a Nnamdi Asomugha or DeAngello Williams, but you will see them scour the market for what I consider to be value players.

Value players are not the stars or the biggest names.  They are rarely the best players available at the position and more often than not, usually won't excite fans.

Nonetheless this is how the Steelers work and that won't change anytime soon.

Randy McMichael

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Randy McMichael #81 of the San Diego Chargers is pursued by Kamerion Wimbley #96 of the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gr

Randy McMichael has been playing second fiddle to the league's best tight end in San Diego for the past year.  However, before then he was a solid player on a poor team in St. Louis for the Rams.

McMichael is a reliable blocker and solid receiver.  He would be an immediate upgrade over the inconsistent Matt Spaeth as Heath Miller's backup.

Spaeth is 27 years of age.  The Steelers have already waited too long for him to live up to his potential.  He is not a reliable blocker and proved himself to be incapable of filling in for Miller when given the opportunity.

McMichael may not be the long term option for the team but neither is Spaeth.  The Steelers don't need big names in free agency, they need the best role players they can possibly find. McMichael is the best affordable tight end on the market that fits the Steelers' needs.

Others such as David Thomas and Desmond Clark weren't considered because of their lesser ability as blockers.

Vonta Leach

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Arian Foster #23 and Vonta Leach #44 of the Houston Texans celebrate after Foster scored on a 14-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010

It's going to be difficult for Arian Foster to repeat the successes of last season.  He is essentially entering his sophomore season (after sitting for most of his rookie season) which is often difficult for players who had success early.  What is more important for Foster though is the loss of the big man that was clearing his way.

Vonta Leach, No. 44 pictured above, has been told that he will not be returning for next season.

Leach was a linchpin in the Texans' offense clearing the way for Foster to amass 1,616 yards rushing.  Which is why it came as somewhat of a surprise when the 29-year-old fullback was told that he was not going to be brought back in Houston.

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't use a traditional fullback.  Ever since Dan Kreider was let go and Bruce Arians took the offense in his direction they have abandoned the idea of a lead blocker.

However pairing Leach (and possibly Lousaka Polite although his status is uncertain) with Mendenhall in the backfield could give him the opportunity to potentially eclipse 1,500 yards. Leach could appeal to the Steelers because he would not diminish the team's passing game.  He had more receptions last season than David Johnson had in his two-year career.

Leach would allow Johnson to return to his more natural position of tight end.

Leach hasn't had a carry since 2008 but he would still help the team in the short yardage game with his explosion as a blocker.

David Akers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: David Akers #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Swayze Waters may have already been signed by the team in free agency but it's doubtful that he is the long-term heir to Jeff Reed.  Sean Suisham was solid last season but it's not likely that he is the long-term option either.

Considering that the team didn't select a kicker in the recent draft we can presume that they will look to find one in free agency.  The Philadelphia Eagles however did draft a kicker, in the fourth round!  A kicker in the fourth round indicates that David Akers is not returning.

He may be 36 years old but kickers can last into their forties.  Akers has been a reliable kicker in Philadelphia for a long time.  He is likely suffering from his demise in this season's playoffs against the Green Bay Packers.  Akers missed two kicks but we later found out that his daughter was undergoing tests for cancer at the time which obviously took its tole.

Akers doesn't have the biggest leg but he is an accurate veteran which is important for a kicker looking to kick in Heinz Field on a regular basis.

Kyle Arrington

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Cornerback Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots evades wide receiver James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers to run the ball 36 yards and score a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

The New England Patriots decision to draft Ras-I Dowling could spell the end of Arrington's short stint in New England.

Arrington was a solid piece for Bill Belichick's underwhelming defensive unit last season and fits the Steelers' style.  The Patriots may not re-sign him if Leigh Bodden returns from injury while Devin McCourty and Dowling are also there.

He is a small and agile cornerback that could give the team better competition for the young emerging talent at the position.

The Steelers won't have any interest in marquee corners such as Nnamdi Asomugha or Antonio Cromartie because of their system.  Ike Taylor is the only possible big addition at the position.

Arrington could compete for a starting role ahead of Bryant McFadden or replace William Gay as the nickelback, who could also hit free agency depending on the rules of the league.  Arrington is in the same situation as Gay but is likely to be a restricted free agent once the offseason begins.

The Steelers did draft two cornerbacks in the mid rounds of the draft.  Cortez Allen is unlikely to see the field this season however, as he is a developmental project.  Curtis Brown could compete but the team still remains weak at the position because of Keenan Lewis' futility at this point in his career.

Crezdon Butler looks like the team's best young corner that could step up next season but he also remains unproven.  Arrington only started 14 games last season but showed enough to make him a worthwhile addition to the roster.

Deon Grant

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Deon Grant #34 of the New York Giants forces a fourth quarter fumble against Chris Cooley #47 of the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defe

Before last season the Steelers signed Will Allen to a three-year contract.  Allen was a very good special teamer but Ryan Mundy remained the backup at both safety positions.

Mundy is a good backup at free safety but the team needs a more natural strong safety to fill in for the oft-injured Troy Polamalu when he goes down.

Deon Grant finished the season as the starter in New York last season for the Giants.  However he is unlikely to return to the team as he is now 32 years of age and was signed as insurance ahead of the return of full time starter Kenny Phillips.

Grant had three interceptions and two forced fumbles last year.  He would give Ryan Clark the proper complement piece that he would need if Polamalu went down.  He would likely only be a one to two year stop gap player but the team didn't draft another safety.

The team may be happy to have Mundy backup both positions but added depth is never a bad thing and he would definitely be an upgrade over Will Allen as far as defensive play if not as a special teamer.