Despite having what has widely been considered a great draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have several lingering holes to fill on their roster. The post-draft free-agency window is here, and the Steelers are expected to be active in that market. With needs at slot cornerback, wide receiver, and safety, there a few potential options remaining. Below are five free agents at various positions the Steelers should consider signing in the coming weeks.
Five Free Agents the Pittsburgh Steelers Could Sign
D.J. Chark, Wide Receiver
D.J. Chark is coming off a down year, but everyone on the Carolina Panthers offense had a down year in 2023. He might not be the best fit for the Steelers’ offense, but there are only so many options remaining on the market. Chark is a big-bodied, downfield threat. Though he’s not nearly as reliable or explosive, he plays similarly to George Pickens. Of course, it never hurts to have more downfield playmakers. Pittsburgh might be looking for a better route runner who gets open more consistently. But Chark wouldn’t be a bad option; he would be cheap and would provide another option down the field for Russell Wilson.
Chandon Sullivan, Cornerback
Slot cornerback is the biggest remaining need on Pittsburgh’s roster. There are not many remaining free agents the Steelers could sign to predominantly play in the slot. Chandon Sullivan, who spent the 2023 season in Pittsburgh, is one of those players. He struggled to start last season but got better as the year went on. Sullivan knows the Steelers’ defense and could pick up where he left off in 2023. The Steelers have two slot-capable cornerbacks on the roster, Josiah Scott and 2024 undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop. Both players have the potential to get snaps in the slot, but bringing Sullivan back would provide a much-needed veteran presence.
Justin Simmons, Safety
Though he’s not the player he once was, adding Justin Simmons would be a great move for the Steelers. They already signed DeShon Elliott this offseason, but there is not much depth behind Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Simmons wouldn’t just be an extra depth piece, though; he can still be a key contributor and playmaker on defense. If they are not able to add a quality nickel cornerback, the Steelers could run three-safety looks with Fitzpatrick sliding down in the slot and Simmons roaming deep. That wouldn’t be the best way to utilize Fitzpatrick, but it would provide the team with an extra option in a pinch.
Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver
Of these potential Steelers free agents, Beckham could have the highest upside. His best years are far, far in the past, but he showed last year with the Baltimore Ravens he can still be a valuable weapon. He doesn’t have the downfield burst he used to have, but he can still get open and his hands are as dependable as ever. Beckham would be a questionable fit in Arthur Smith’s offense. He’s not exactly known to be a tenacious, physical blocker. But their passing game desperately needs one more addition and a one-year deal for the former star could prove worth it.
Bud Dupree, Outside Linebacker
The final player on this list of free agents is former Steelers first-round draft pick Bud Dupree. Their former standout pass rusher is nearing the end of his career but could provide the Steelers some extra depth at outside linebacker. It doesn’t hurt to have too many pass rushers, and Dupree can still get after opposing quarterbacks. After not re-signing Markus Golden, the Steelers are left with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith as their starting edge defenders with only Nick Herbig behind them. Dupree expressed interest in re-joining the Steelers and it would be a worthwhile reunion for a cheap price.
Main Photo: Bob Self/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK
