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3 Free Agents the Steelers Can Sign With Limited Cap Space

By Jason Schandl

Three low-cost free agents the Steelers should target, including Ndamukong Suh.
Three low-cost free agents the Steelers should target, including Ndamukong Suh. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
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Pittsburgh Steelers fans have to be feeling pretty good about their outlook for the 2020 NFL season. Despite losing Ben Roethlisberger for the year and getting middling-to-terrible play from Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges, they remained in the playoff hunt and finished 8-8.

Getting Roethlisberger back in 2020, they'll be looking to make another playoff push. They have the lowest cap space in the NFL as the March 18 beginning of the league year approaches, and any additions they make this offseason are going to need to be budget conscious.

With that in mind, here are three low-cost free agents the Steelers should target.

3. Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh during a 2019 game with the Buccaneers.
Ndamukong Suh during a 2019 game with the Buccaneers. / Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Once a premier defensive lineman in the NFL, Ndamukong Suh only got a one-year deal last offseason, and he didn't live up to the $9.5 million salary it entailed. His 41 tackles were his fewest since 2012, and his 2.5 sacks were a career low. Falling flat on a prove-it deal last year should drive down his asking price, but the Steelers' strong defense would be a great spot for him to have a bounce-back year. Suh could be a force on the interior with Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt wreaking havoc on the edge.

2. Delanie Walker

Delanie Walker during a 2019 game with the Titans.
Delanie Walker during a 2019 game with the Titans. / Marc Serota/Getty Images

Vance McDonald re-structured his deal for 2020, so he'll still be around at the tight end spot, but he has had a hard time staying healthy and has never caught more than 50 passes in a season. At 35 years old and with injury concerns of his own, Delanie Walker should be available on the cheap as a complementary option to go alongside McDonald. Walker has missed the majority of the last two seasons, but before that he caught 60-plus passes in five consecutive years. With a cheap deal there's not much downside if he gets banged up again, but he could bring some value as a receiving threat at a position of need.

1. Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley during a 2019 game with the Falcons.
Vic Beasley during a 2019 game with the Falcons. / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Even with Bud Dupree on the franchise tag, the Steelers may have a need for an edge rusher next year. Vic Beasley shouldn't cost much to bring in after falling off in recent years, recording just a combined 25 QB hits over the last three seasons. The 2016 All-Pro (15.5 sacks that year) has flashed superstar potential, but his recent dip in production and inconsistent play (35.5 percent missed tackle rate in 2018) could have him available at a discount. He'll be turning just 28 years old this season, so he still has the potential to be a solid long-term contributor if he can bounce back in Pittsburgh.

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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.