The start of free agency is usually looked upon with the same range of excitement as the start of cold and flu season in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers won't ever be a team that spends wildly in free agency. They'll instead choose to sit out the early rush, when teams often overspend for middling talent, then swoop in during the second wave and add a bargain or two.
The 2019 season was more of the outlier. Ripe with cash thanks to Le'Veon Bell not reporting to sign his franchise tender, the Steelers were more active on the open market than usual. But it was also a lesson in why the team doesn't believe in free agency as a building block. The team made three big signings last season, adding cornerback Steven Nelson, linebacker Mark Barron and wide receiver Donte Moncrief. Nelson, of course, was a hit. Barron was a serviceable addition, while Moncrief was released prior to Week 10.
The Steelers won't be nearly as active this season -- at least in terms of money spent. Nelson, for example, got the largest free agent contract ever given out by the team. They don't have a lot of cap space available to them this season to make major additions. But there are some cheap options who can help the team in 2020.
Remember, players who are released by their team, like Barron was last season by the Rams, are more valuable. They don't factor into a team's compensatory pick formula. So we'll take a look at some potential cuts, as well.
POTENTIAL OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Al Woods, NT, Seahawks: It's hard to believe Woods has been around since 2010, but he has. A former Steelers backup in 2012 and 2013, he has now started 48 of the 125 career games in which he's appeared. He's 32, so he's obviously on the downside of his career. But 6-foor-4, 330-pound Woods can still plug the middle and wouldn't break the bank. At best, he's the starter in 2020 replacing Javon Hargrave, who is going to get a massive contract on the open market. At worst, he pushes Daniel McCullers off the roster. Wait, maybe I got those backward.
Andrew Billings, NT, Bengals: Remember back in 2016 when some wanted the Steelers to take Billings in the first round of the draft? Well, he lasted until the fourth round. The reason is because he offers nothing as a pass rusher. But that's fine. He just turned 25 last week and offers some girth in the middle. He's started 30 games the past two seasons. The Steelers had some success the last time they signed a nose tackle -- Kimo von Oelhoffen -- away from the Bengals. If they can get Billings for a decent price, they might be able to have lightning strike twice.
Tyeler Davison, NT, Falcons: A good run stuffer, Davison, like Woods and Billings, offers little as a pass rusher. At 6-foot-2, 309 pounds, he has the size to handle the position. Davison has a nice quick first step that allowed him to disrupt plays. Davison is a former fifth-round pick out of Fresno State.
Kemal Ishmael, S, Falcons: Ishmael has 23 career starts for the Falcons and had 23 special teams tackles in 2017 and 2018. He's mostly a strong safety type, but he would give the team a player capable of stepping in if an injury happens. He turns 29 in May, so he's not over the hill just yet.
Darian Thompson, S, Cowboys: Thompson has seen most of his playing time at free safety, but at 6-foot-2, 211 pounds, he has the size to play down in the box, as well. A third-round pick of the Giants in 2016, Thompson has made 20 career starts. There's talent there. And he had seven special teams tackles in 2019. He's not a starter, but he's the kind of pedigree player that Mike Tomlin likes to add to the mix.
Anthony Levine, S, Ravens: Levine is getting up in age. He turns 33 at the end of this month. But he's always among the league leaders in special teams tackles. And he's gotten a good amount of experience in the Ravens' defense. Levine was part of two Super Bowl teams, winning a ring while on the practice squad of the Packers and then again with the Ravens in 2012.
Levine Toilolo, TE, 49ers: Toilolo has never been much of a pass catcher. The 29-year-old has 97 receptions in seven NFL seasons. But he's always been a plus-level blocker. He could be a fallback option if the Steelers are unable to re-sign Nick Vannett. And the 6-foot-8 tight end could be a nice mentor for similar-sized Zach Gentry, who needs to learn how to use his lengthy frame.
Charles Clay, TE, Cardinals: Clay was once a hot commodity on the open market, signing a big deal with the Bills in 2015 to leave the Dolphins. He had five consecutive seasons with 49 or more receptions but has just 39 combined the past two seasons in Buffalo and in 2019 with the Cardinals. There might still be some juice there. And despite being slightly undersized, Clay isn't a bad blocker.
POTENTIAL CUT SIGNINGS
Dontari Poe, NT, Panthers: Poe has a cap hit of just over $13 million and counts only $3 million in dead money if he is released. The Panthers have a new coaching staff and he might not fit in their plans. He's still a big, athletic man in the middle. But he'll also turn 30 this year. It might take some creativity, but he would be a player who would be worth adding -- likely at half the salary Hargrave will command on the open market.
Rhett Ellison, TE, Giants: Ellison has a cap hit of $7.1 million for 2020 -- and you thought Vance McDonald's hit was high. That's a lot for a player who's better known for his blocking than his pass catching. Ellison has 73 career starts under his belt, mostly with the Vikings, and has appeared in 113 games in seven seasons. He's only got 118 career catches, but he's the perfect No. 2 tight end, a good blocker who is not in over his head when forced to start.
Delanie Walker, TE, Titans: Despite being just 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Walker has always been underrated as a blocker. Injuries have wrecked each of his past two seasons -- limiting him to eight games -- and that allowed Jonnu Smith to emerge. Walker and his $8 million cap hit could be on the way out in Tennessee. He's 36, so a long-term deal certainly wouldn't make sense. But a one-year deal to come in and share time with Vance McDonald? That could be worthwhile for a player who had over 800 receiving yards in 2014-17.
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