We're now a week into NFL free agency -- including the ridiculously named "legal tampering" period -- and we've seen some ridiculously monster deals signed -- Kirk Cousins, Nate Solder, etc. -- and some big names get added to the list via releases -- Ndamukong Suh, Tyrann Mathieu, etc.
We've also seen some slow markets at certain positions as they take a back seat to the high-profile moves. But there's no doubt the landscape has changed from a week ago.
The Steelers also made moves that opened up some cap space on their roster, some expected, such as the releases of Mike Mitchell and William Gay, and some that were not, such as the release of Robert Golden and re-signing of Fitzgerald Toussaint. That puts the team just short of $9 million under the salary cap heading into the second week of free agency, a little better off than what was expected.
It also means the team will now begin the process of sifting through the remaining free agents to find a player or two who should be able to help in 2018. And there are plenty of players who can help still available.
Here are some possible targets:
INSIDE LINEBACKER
While this position got picked over pretty heavily at the top of the market, there are still some viable candidates available who can help. And the Steelers won't be afraid to take an undersized 4-3 linebacker -- typically the weakside guy -- and move him inside in their 3-4. They want run-and-chase guys who can cover.
NaVorro Bowman, Oakland: Bowman is 30 and has had some knee issues in the past. But he played well for Oakland last season after forcing his way out of San Francisco early in the season. The question is, can he still run and cover? A two-year deal could get it done if he's willing to leave the Bay Area.
Gerald Hodges, New Orleans: This guy has consistently been on all three of my free agency preview lists. The former college safety has coverage skills but wasn't used much in New Orleans last season after putting up a solid season in San Francisco the year before. He's still just 27, as well.
Paul Worrilow, Detroit: Somehow, I overlooked the speedy Worrilow on previous lists. He was a 4.59 guy coming out of Delaware and had 127 tackles as a rookie for Atlanta in 2013 -- 12 starts -- and 142 the next season. At 6-1, 230 pounds, he's nearly a clone, in terms of size, of Ryan Shazier. He got eight starts last season in Detroit in his only season with the Lions, but was used on the outside. Worrilow, 27, could be an ideal fit for the Steelers.
Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia: OK, this would require a trade, but I'm including Kendricks on this list. At 5-11, 239 pounds, Kendricks is a little shorter than you'd like, but he ran a 4.47-second 40 at the combine and has been a good player for the Eagles, hence his $5.85-million base salary this season. The Eagles reportedly have him on the trading block. If the Steelers can get him for, say, a fifth-round pick, it's a move they should make.
SAFETY
This market has been slow, as mentioned earlier. But that's good news for the Steelers, since it hasn't been picked over quite as much as inside linebacker. There are a number of quality players still available.
Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans: It's not all that surprising Vaccaro hasn't gotten much attention as of yet. He finished the season on injured reserve and had surgery to repair an abductor injury that was completely torn off the bone. He played through that injury for a good portion of last season and struggled, at times, because of it. But at 27, he could certainly still have some good football ahead of him.
Tre Boston, L.A. Chargers: Boston is still just 25 and is coming off a very solid season with the Chargers. But he kind of flamed out in Carolina before that, not really doing anything to distinguish himself. It's kind of a re-run of Mike Mitchell's situation. Mitchell had one good season in Carolina after not living up to expectations in Oakland. Much like Mitchell, Boston also will miss some tackles.
Eric Reid, San Francisco: Reid, 26, has missed nine games the past two seasons with injuries, but he's a good player who even bumped down to play some linebacker last season after Bowman forced his way out of San Francisco. He might be asking for too much money, however, at a position at which some teams don't like to spend a lot of money. Imagine adding Reid and then drafting his brother, Justin, a standout safety at Stanford last season. That would be a serious safety makeover.
Ross Cockrell, N.Y. Giants: Bear with me here on this one. The Steelers dealt Cockrell to the Giants last year for a seventh-round draft pick after acquiring Joe Haden. But Cockrell was being asked to play cornerback at that time. Part of the issue was that Cockrell is more of a zone corner than he is one capable of playing man-to-man. But he's smart, tough and physical. Still just 26, Cockrell had 50 tackles and three interceptions for the Giants last season. If he'd be willing to move to safety, I'd consider bringing him back.
RUNNING BACK
I didn't include running backs in my second free agent installment because I figured if the Steelers were going to be active early, it would be at inside linebacker or safety. But a veteran backup could help here -- and no, Toussaint, re-signed earlier this week, isn't that guy. Saturday, the team met with Matthew Slater, special teams demon for the Patriots, according to ESPN. So, the Steelers are looking for special teams help. These next two guys could do that, as well.
Kenjon Barner, Philadelphia: Barner is undersized at 5-9, 195 pounds. But he's got a career rushing average of 4.1 yards per carry. However, his real value comes as a return man. Barner averaged 30.8 yards per kick return in 2016 and 11.2 yards per punt return last season.
Benny Cunningham, Chicago: Cunningham, 27, has excelled as a receiver in his career, including catching 45 passes for the Rams in 2014. But he's a do-it-all-back who had 13 tackles on special teams last season and also owns a 26.7-yard average on kick returns. He has had some fumbling issues throughout his career, something you wouldn't expect from a 220-pound running back.
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