Most likely signings for Steelers as free-agent tampering period opens

Welcome to free agency, Pittsburgh Steelers fans! Monday is an extremely important day. It marks the beginning of the NFL's legal tampering period where free-agent players are able to officially begin negotiations with teams. The contracts will not be considered official until Wednesday (03/15), but Monday essentially marks the beginning of the 2023 NFL season.

Free-agency news will come fast and furious, as premier players will be coming off the board in a matter of hours. As the Steelers normally do, they will steer clear of household names such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Bobby Wagner. Instead, the team will focus on finding the diamond-in-the-rough players who will help fill out positional needs and sign at a reasonable price. Below is a list of four free-agent players who make sense for the Steelers to sign. 

Free Agent #1 - CB: Rock Ya-Sin

There is no denying the Steelers’ need to address the cornerback position this offseason. Coming off a strong 2022 campaign with the Raiders, Rock Ya-Sin is a logical free-agent candidate, especially when you consider the interest he received from the Steelers during the 2019 draft process. He has steadily improved throughout his career and has proved himself to be an above-average press corner who is a willing tackler. 

The plausibility of bringing in Ya-Sin would increase significantly if the Steelers decide to let Cam Sutton walk. General manager Omar Khan has already acknowledged his desire to bring back Sutton, but there is a strong possibility that he quickly ascends out of the Steelers’ price range and they are forced to look elsewhere. Recent reports have linked Sutton to former Steelers ILB coach Brian Flores and could sign with the Vikings. If this is indeed the case, do not be surprised if Ya-Sin is seriously looked at by the Steelers as a cost-effective replacement.

Free Agent #2 - ILB: Leighton Vander Esch

The Steelers need a new inside linebacker, badly. As tempting as it would be to make a huge splash by adding Tremaine Edmunds, he may be simply too expensive for the Steelers. Will Pittsburgh be willing to take part in a bidding war for the services of Edmunds? Possible, but not likely. This is where Leighton Vander Esch comes in. The main concern throughout his career has been injuries. However, he has managed to stay healthy during the past two seasons, only missing three games. Vander Esch would also fit in nicely schematically, with the ability to be a three-down linebacker, which is something the Steelers have been searching for ever since the Ryan Shazier injury in 2017. 

Similar to Ya-Sin, there were numerous reports of the Steelers seriously considering spending their first-round pick in 2018 on Vander Esch before he was ultimately selected by the Dallas Cowboys. With both Devin Bush and Robert Spillane slated to hit the open market, it is more likely than not that the Steelers look to add a veteran inside linebacker at the very beginning of free agency. The free-agent ILB class is especially deep this year, so do not be surprised if there are other players the Steelers will look to add if Vander Esch signs somewhere else. Other names at ILB to watch out for include Kyzir White (Eagles) and David Long (Titans). 

Free Agent #3 - OLB: Bud Dupree