The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into an important offseason for the future of the franchise and with free agency coming, names like Anquan Boldin, Jimmy Graham, Darren McFadden, Jeremy Maclin, Anquan Boldin, Branden Albert, Hakeem Nicks, Jairus Byrd, James Jones and Eric Decker could be in the mix as the team works to keep linebacker Jason Worilds.
The Steelers finished the season 8-8 and nearly made the playoffs and now they come into the offseason looking to rebuild their defense to get back into contention and it comes as a number of names are hitting the market, including Jason Worilds, Ryan Clark, Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel as well as Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders and Jonathan Dwyer. The team had issues running the ball last season and while Le'Veon Bell showed that he has plenty of potential, he also could be injury prone and that could spark the team to sign someone like McFadden, Ben Tate or Rashad Jennings off the market.
The Steelers don't usually break the bank in free agency and they showed that last season while letting Mike Wallace leave for the Miami Dolphins, but this time around they could be poised to make a move or two, as they have missed the playoffs again and with 21 players hitting free agency, there could be a number of new faces coming. Sanders showed that he can handle being a starter, but with Antonio Brown leading the team and a deep wideout class in the draft, Sanders could be on his way out with Cotchery after both put up solid numbers this season.
The Steelers could go all in on a receiver, as names like Hakeem Nicks, James Jones and Anquan Boldin are on the market and while they usually don't go big at this position, this offseason could be the time to do it. Nicks may come cheaper after the mediocre season he had with the Giants, while Boldin is getting older and could be had on the cheap as well. Brown is the top name for the Steelers right now and adding someone like Nicks, who has the potential for 80 catches and 1,000 yards could be a great way to open up the offense for Roethlisberger.
The running back position will be interesting to watch, as the team could jump and sign someone like McFadden, but with his injury problems they may want to avoid him. Tate is a good choice after he showed he could lead a team in rushing, while the team is a massive wild card for Jimmy Graham, who is getting ready for a contract showdown with the Saints. The main priority for the Steelers is signing Worilds, who showed that he is one of the best young linebackers in the league and comes after the team picked Jarvis Jones in the second round. Worilds will get attention on the free agent market and with LaMarr Woodley unable to stay healthy, Worilds is a huge player the team needs to sign.
