Steelers

Best of what’s left: Available NFL free agents

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Cam Newton (1). -- MATT SUNDAY / DKPS

As the calendar prepares to turn from June to July, NFL teams start to prepare for training camps at the end of the month. With these preparations in place, every team has holes on their current roster. Some are more glaring than others, but holes nonetheless.

With the main free agency period long gone, and the 2020 NFL Draft completed, it only leaves one option for teams who are still looking to add to their roster prior to the start of the new season. That option is to find free agents who are on the open market.

Consider it a best of what's left list.

Could the Steelers add a player or two before the start of the regular season? Absolutely, especially at specific positions. Below is a list of players who are still available, broken down by position. I have put their age next to their name in parentheses, and a brief synopsis of why the Steelers will, or won't, be looking to add a player at that specific position.

It should be noted the Steelers don't have enough salary cap space currently to sign any player, but with a few moves they could create space necessary to make one, or more, additions to their 2020 roster.

Quarterback

There are some fans who still aren't confident in the Steelers' current depth chart at the quarterback position. After Ben Roethlisberger is a list of players who don't have a lot of experience under their belt. The organization has made it clear they are confident in their quarterbacks, so it seems unlikely, barring injury, they add a quarterback anytime soon.

Cam Newton (31)
Drew Stanton (36)
Matt Moore (36)
Blake Bortles (28)
DeShone Kizer (24)

Running Back

If there is one position the Steelers don't need more players it would be at running back. James Conner has been injury prone, but the Steelers' drafting Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. in consecutive years makes any addition of a running back unlikely.

Devonta Freeman (28)
Theo Riddick (29)
Lamar Miller (29)
Spencer Ware (28)

Wide Receiver

Like running back, the Steelers' receiver depth chart doesn't need much adjusting. After taking Chase Claypool with their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, it bolstered the young receiving corps even more. Barring injury, the group headlined by JuJu Smith-Schuster is here to stay.

Chris Hogan (31)
Taylor Gabriel (29)
Demaryius Thomas (31)
Jordan Matthews (29)
Malik Turner (24)

Tight End

While the previously mentioned positions might not have needed much help, the tight end group could be one where additions are made. The Steelers picked up Eric Ebron in free agency, but it leaves them with only Vance McDonald and Zach Gentry on their roster. This is a position the team could target if the need is there.

Charles Clay (31)
Delanie Walker (36)
Jordan Reed (30)
Ed Dickson (33)
Alex Gray (26)

Offensive Line

Offensive line play is bad across the league, and when you look at the free agents still available it becomes even more evident. You will see some former Steelers on this list, but after the addition of Stefen Wisinewski in free agency, I don't see the Steelers making any moves at any of these positions.

T Kelvin Beachum (31)
T Jerald Hawkins (26)
T Jason Peters (38)
T Jordan Mills (29)
G Demetrius Knox (24)
G Ronald Leary (31)
C A.Q. Shipley (34)
C Ryan Kalil (35)
C Justin Britt (29)

EDGE

The Steelers have very good bookend pass rushers in T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, but the depth behind those players is extremely unproven. I don't foresee the Steelers wanting to bring in any players at EDGE, even if their depth is very green.

Clay Matthews (34)
Jabaal Sheard (31)
Cameron Wake (38)
Jadeveon Clowney (27)
Terrell Suggs (37)

Defensive Line

The loss of Javon Hargrave looms large, but the hope is Isaiah Buggs can step up and be the depth the team needs alongside Tyson Alualu. Because of this, the Steelers should probably stay put and go with what they have along the defensive line.

Michael Bennett (34)
Domata Peko (34)
Marcell Dareus (30)
Timmy Jernigan (27)

Linebacker

Linebacker is absolutely a position the Steelers should have on their radar. After Devin Bush and Vince Williams, there is a precipitous drop off in talent at the position. Bringing in a veteran as a stop-gap could be a very smart move for the organization prior to the start of the 2020 season.

Alec Ogletree (28)
Manti Te'o (29)
Mark Barron (30)
Preston Brown (27)
Jake Ryan (28)

Cornerback

It feels weird typing this, but the Steelers' cornerbacks are considered some of the best in the league. After Joe Haden and Steven Nelson the team has depth they can rely on in 2020. You can never have too many good cornerbacks, and the Steelers have quite a few.

Brandon Carr (34)
Ross Cockrell (29)
Brandon Williams (27)
Darqueze Dennard (28)
Morris Claiborne (30)

Safety

Like linebacker, safety is a position the Steelers should be targeting if they are going to make a move this offseason. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds make a great duo, but behind them leaves a lot to be desired. Bringing in a veteran who can play both safety positions, for the right price, would be an extremely intelligent move for the organization.

Tony Jefferson (28)
Eric Reid (28)
Morgan Burnett (31)
Reshad Jones (32)
Josh Shaw (28)

Will the Steelers make a move prior to 2020? That has yet to be determined, but stay tuned to DKPittsburghSports.com as we start to breakdown the depth on the team's 90-man offseason roster.

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