FA signing before the draft. Who?

I know it's early, but I'm curious to hear what you guys who do real research on here think of a FA signing before the draft. What position would you sign, within reason, and take it off the table of the the first or second round? Based on our needs and available FA's and strength of those positions coming out and cap space. For example, sign Doubs and not worry about WR in the draft. Sign Q. Walker and eliminate LB. from the draft. Etc, etc. DT, guard, safety.... And if you could, what specific player makes the most sense. Thanks.

 

i'd love to get quay walker.

 

There are a lot of angles here, it depends on what we want to do with the team...

RB
Tons of options here if we end up not retaining Gainwell. There are just so many RB's that are really quality players that will be relegated to a RB timeshare. Warren is a great option, but adding someone alongside him in the vein of Rico Dowdle, Travis Etienne, or Rachaad White could be worthwhile. Otherwise, I am totally fine re-signing Gainwell and running it back with him and Warren. Just something to contemplate. There's about 7 guys that are FA's right now that I would look at that could be had for probably 8-9 million or less. I love Warren and think he's a fantastic all around back, but tandem is the way to go in today's NFL and there are a ton of proven options available.

WR
Lots of good options here for a WR2... I could see interest in Rashid Shaheed, Jajuan Jennings, WanDale Robinson, and Alec Pierce in a #2 price range. If we want to go a little cheaper we could go after a Deebo Samuel or Romeo Doubs.

OL
I'd prefer to just draft a mid round G, but if we really want to shore up the line we could look to a younger OG like Vera-Tucker, either of the Chargers' guys (Penning or Johnson), Ed Ingram or Dylan Parham

DL
We probably just extend Heyward, but we could cut him and go elsewhere. Though, the FA market is definitely older on the IDL.

LB
Quay Walker is the best FA fit imo, though Devin Lloyd is the "swing for the fences" addition. Devin Bush has actually played himself back into relevance, though I doubt we go back that route. N'Kobe Dean is a possibility too, but the medicals are a MAJOR red flag. Not sure I'd invest.

CB
My personal favorite to start next to Peezy would be Tariq Woolen. Similar kind of player, big rangy guy. We'd be able to go man to man against anyone. I could see value in a slot/outside hybrid in someone like Newsome though. Its definitely a position we could use an upgrade on, even if I thought Echols performed admirably. I could see interest in Trevon Diggs but he would be cheaper, as he had a rough season this past year. I'd prefer to swing a bit higher on Cordale Flott, Nahshon Wright, or Alonte Taylor

S
There are a couple options to consider, as I see a need at S even if Elliott returns to the lineup 100%. Coby Bryant, Bryan Cook, and Kamren Curl could all make sense.

 

Even if they sign a player like Doubs they still need to draft a WR, who knows if Roman Wilson is going to figure it out.

 

You don't want Dowdell he was complaining about having to share the load with Hubbard in Carolina, pass on Deebo Samuel his best days are behind him.

 

Maybe, but is there going to be another team willing to give him the "lead back" role? idk. I think most of his complaints about sharing the load was due to him outperforming Hubbard by a good bit.

Don't care about Deebo. I don't want him for what he used to be. I want him to play big slot and outside for 2-3 decent years as the #3 behind an early draft pick and Metcalf. We have 1 legitimate WR on our roster for 26... We can't be getting picky because Deebo isn't a #1 anymore. He comes in and catches 50 balls for 600 yards and 5-6 TD's for 2-3 years straight and we're in business. He won't be super expensive and he could be a good complement to DK and a young route running stud WR. He'd be a versatile piece on an offense that is desperate for productive weapons. He'd actually be a quite good option if we are planning on a young WR early in the draft. We also wouldn't have to commit to him for 5 seasons.

 

Still not interested in Deebo spend the money on Doubs or Pierce both under the age of 30.

 

It is one route to go. We can spend larger money on a WR like Pierce (I'd imagine over 20m/yr) or middling money on a lesser player in Doubs (15m/yr maybe?) if we want to make either of them the long term WR2... If we do this, we take WR off the table in the first round and focus on a more slot/hybrid guy in the 3rd (as both are outside WR's only, like DK). Its not the worst move, but both Doubs and Pierce would command 5 year contracts, while Samuel is going to have a shorter, 2-3 year deal.

I am only interested in Samuel in the event that we draft a WR with our first round pick (which is what I would prefer we do). Then we have DK as WR1 until the draft pick takes that over. We need a 3rd WR for McCarthy's offense. I'm done hoping for Roman Wilson to turn into that option. Just give Samuel a 3 year 45million dollar contract (or 2yr/30something) and make him the WR2/3 while our pick develops and contributes. It means we wont be forcing our pick into an alpha WR role too early and staggers our WR spending. By the time our first round draft pick is due for a contract, DK will be at the end of his and Samuel will be gone. Plus it allows us to use Samuel in the slot, and outside, giving us flexibility with what player we can draft at WR (and really lets us move our guys around to create mismatches should we draft a slot capable guy like Tyson or Lemon). There's a ton of value at a reasonable price. vel

In a perfect world our team would be filled with 25 year old studs. I understand that in the interim a 30 year old vet that brings a lot to the table makes a lot of sense, particularly at WR2/3. I'd rather us go cheaper and shorter term with Samuel and spend the money at CB or S. We still could use a ILB, a DL, and a OG too. We have money to spend, but its not infinite. I like the latter scenario of the two listed a bit better to round our team out the best way possible.

 

If the Steelers sign Scott Tolzien to become their next OC, you can book it that Trey Lance will be one of the first Free Agent signings this offseason.

McCarthy and Tolzien could not have been more complimentary of Try Lance when they were together in Dallas as HC and QB coach.

I am assuming that, like most of the coaching staff, will not be back in 2026.