Ranking the 2018 Free Agents by order of importance.

[Stryker]

Taken from the article https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...burgh-steelers-2018-free-agents-nfl-afc-north

Player / Pos. / 2017 Team / 2018 Team / Type / Current APY / Guarantees

Must Haves:

Le’Veon Bell RB - Steelers UFA - $12,120,000 / $12,120,000 (Will be franchised)

Chris Boswell K - Steelers RFA - $615,000 / $0 (Pro bowler needs a long term contract)

Mike Hilton CB - Steelers ERFA - $465,000 / $0 (not really a worry since he's an exclusive rights FA, but what an excellent talent)

Jordan Berry P - Steelers RFA - $525,000 / $0 (Both kickers are FAs? best to keep him on a cheap salary)

Sean Spence ILB - Steelers UFA - $775,000 / $0 (With Shazier's career in doubt, he is a smart resign since he's starting)

Kameron Canaday LS - Steelers ERFA - $540,000 / $0 (All 3 Special Teams Specialists are FAs. Had a perfect season, so Steelers will keep his exclusive rights)

Roosevelt Nix RB - Steelers RFA - $615,000 / $0 (Excellent blocking back and special teams player. Needs to be retained)

Depth Luxuries:

Anthony Chickillo 34OLB - Steelers RFA - $615,000 / $0 (Quality depth player in a position of need)

Stevan Ridley RB - Steelers UFA - $775,000 / $0 (Looks better than Toussaint this year. Would prefer him to Toussiant and one backup does need to be retained as a 3rd stringer)

B.J. Finney C - Steelers ERFA - $540,000 / $0 (Our best interior backup lineman, will be on the team next year since his rights are exclusive)

Xavier Grimble TE - Steelers ERFA - $540,000 / $0 (Good 3rd TE and fits well in our system as quality depth. Will be on the team next year since his rights are exclusive))

Eli Rogers WR - Steelers RFA - $526,667 / $5,000 (Quality backup and good slot receiver)

Fitzgerald Toussaint RB - Steelers RFA - $690,000 / $0 (Only one will be resigned Toussaint or Ridley)



Don't retain:

Christopher Hubbard RT - Steelers UFA - $1,797,000 / $0 (Good player but probably out of our budget for a backup)

Justin Hunter WR - Steelers UFA - $855,000 / $30,000 (I like him, but he's a cost luxury that can be replaced with the draft)

Arthur Moats 34OLB - Steelers UFA - $2,500,000 / $1,900,000 (Money can be used for a more impactful backup)

Matt Feiler RG - Steelers ERFA - $465,000 / $0 (Inactive for too many games this year, but exclusive so will be on the team in training camp)

Greg Ducre CB - Steelers RFA - $615,000 / $0 (not rostered, and injured all season)

Daniel McCullers 34DT - Steelers UFA - $574,670 / $78,680 (Big Dan is done, look for the steelers to draft a NT late this year)

Mike Matthews C - Steelers ERFA - $465,000 / $0 (not rostered, and injured all season. Should be retained to compete in training camp)

Daimion Stafford S - Steelers UFA - $775,000 / $0 (not rostered, and injured all season)

 

[AggieSteel]

Speaking of FAs, I think we should strongly consider a safety and an ILB from the FA market so we aren’t scrambling for need in the draft


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[slashsteel]

Speaking of FAs, I think we should strongly consider a safety and an ILB from the FA market so we aren’t scrambling for need in the draft


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I would say ILBer should now be the UFA priority. A FS yinz can draft to groom for Mitchell's exit.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Really not one necessary player on the list that has full leverage. I think it will be ugly if they try to franchise Bell again. Hopefully they can reach agreement on a three year deal.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Really not one necessary player on the list that has full leverage. I think it will be ugly if they try to franchise Bell again. Hopefully they can reach agreement on a three year deal.

The strategy of tagging Bell should remain in tack. He has well exceeded the number of touches / per game than ANYONE in the last few years. Once over that 364 carry range the body breaks down wheather you like it or not. I don't think Bell makes it 3 years in this environment of Tomlin running his wheels off. Bell will have this upcoming season and even then his production will fall off to average. Do NOT tie up BIG money in a RB who wants both top RB & #2WR money especially at this point in his career.

If the trade conditions were right, I'd strongly consider a trade but realize that is hard under the "TAG" rules.




Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

Disagree on Berry. He's below average. His leg sort of dies when the weather gets cold. Nothing special here, hardly a " must have ". I'm okay with drafting a punter in round 6-7 for an upgrade.


I think Finney is in-between a must have and a luxury. Finney, ( who has the best gut in the NFL ) is probably as good as Foster. He can start elsewhere, and I think some team will offer him 4-5X his current salary. The Steelers might want to keep him, even at 2 million a year.

 

[21STEELERS21]

With the likely loss of Hubbard, I believe the Steelers will want to retain Feiler. I believe he plays some tackle as well as guard.

 

[slashsteel]

The strategy of tagging Bell should remain in tack. He has well exceeded the number of touches / per game than ANYONE in the last few years. Once over that 364 carry range the body breaks down wheather you like it or not. I don't think Bell makes it 3 years in this environment of Tomlin running his wheels off. Bell will have this upcoming season and even then his production will fall off to average. Do NOT tie up BIG money in a RB who wants both top RB & #2WR money especially at this point in his career.

If the trade conditions were right, I'd strongly consider a trade but realize that is hard under the "TAG" rules.




Salute the nation

No way shape or form do I trade Bell.


I work out a contract between what they last offered and what his agent was asking. And sweeten the signing bonus.

 

[Coach]

With the likely loss of Hubbard, I believe the Steelers will want to retain Feiler. I believe he plays some tackle as well as guard.

I think Feiler is a mauler type, and too slow for tackle. Losing Hubbard will kill our depth, but losing coach Munchak will be telling. He's excellent.

 

[slashsteel]

I think Feiler is a mauler type, and too slow for tackle. Losing Hubbard will kill our depth, but losing coach Munchak will be telling. He's excellent.

He isn't gone


yet.

 

[SteelChip]

I think Hubbard gets a hat as long as his price is within reason.

Berry is cheap but punters are out there for the same money or less even.

The big deal has to be Bell. That's a lotta mulla to spend and with Ben ( if he stays ) it will cost others a job on down the line to tag him....this will be interesting to say the least.

 

[Drink IRON City]

No way shape or form do I trade Bell.


I work out a contract between what they last offered and what his agent was asking. And sweeten the signing bonus.

My biggest concern is his durability. Plus He will be a MAJOR cap hit regardless of how contract is written. Like I said, the right deal. He isn't any good if he isn't on the field.
A Chrystal ball would come in handy about now.!!


Salute the nation

 

[Sarge]

No way shape or form do I trade Bell.


I work out a contract between what they last offered and what his agent was asking. And sweeten the signing bonus.

I would trade Bell for the #1 pick to draft Barkley. In a heartbeat. Better athlete, less headache.

 

[slashsteel]

I would trade Bell for the #1 pick to draft Barkley. In a heartbeat. Better athlete, less headache.

Penn State RB's have had their share of fails in the NFL. Better athlete? You mean better than the number one all purpose back in the NFL? We know what we have with Bell. If you make a draft pick, trade for as high as Barkley you draft a franchise possible QB. To me calling someone better than Bell @ anything without NFL experience is laughable. Even with what I saw from Bark there was enough college moments, that he looked more like a yelp.

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[SteelerFan448]

The must have list is pretty good overall, but the Steelers could let Spence walk and not miss a beat. Nix is a nice player and should return, but isn't a "must have." The same could be said for Berry, except I think they keep him and bring in some legitimate competition.

There's nothing about Toussaint that is a luxury. Ridley is a more intriguing option to keep around in the backfield. I also put Feiler in this group with the likely loss of Hubbard.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Penn State RB's have had their share of fails in the NFL. Better athlete? You mean better than the number one all purpose back in the NFL? We know what we have with Bell. If you make a draft pick, trade for as high as Barkley you draft a franchise possible QB. To me calling someone better than Bell @ anything without NFL experience is laughable. Even with what I saw from Bark there was enough college moments, that he looked more like a yelp.

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Fully agree and the trade would have to be RIGHT conditions. Example if Ben was gone.......... right QB at the trade position in the draft....... then maybe yes. I just don't want us CAP strapped for three years on a RB that is fading in durability. True he is on the field but also a little less productive. It's the start of the end, sorry to say. I feel this up coming season will be his last high productive season, that is similar to this one and yes the next two after that will be productive but NOT the huge contract productive...... slip slip. I doubt he will sign for less than 12-15 million a season and that is just to much. TAG this coming year, just my opinion.



Salute the nation

 

[stillwright]

I would trade Bell for the #1 pick to draft Barkley. In a heartbeat. Better athlete, less headache.

I am at a loss for anyone talking of a sign and trade deal with Bell. Please explain to me how this could pan out in the numbers area. Bell is going to want a huge SB and as soon as we trade him we will have to eat that. Or is there something I'm just missing? Anyone?

 

[Stryker]

I am at a loss for anyone talking of a sign and trade deal with Bell. Please explain to me how this could pan out in the numbers area. Bell is going to want a huge SB and as soon as we trade him we will have to eat that. Or is there something I'm just missing? Anyone?

Trades differ depending on the players/picks involved and the bonus money. Steelers could do a sign and trade, but they'd have to be working with the club that they're trading with. Otherwise they could have to eat bonus money if that other team doesn't agree to the size and amount of bonus money. There are a lot of factors so there is no standard example for this.

However, my favorite option is to make Bell a non-exclusive Franchise tag. If a team wants him, they have to pay his full tag amount, and provide 2 first round draft picks for Bell. What I've seen in the past is players get tagged, don't sign their tender, and then get traded for less than 2 firsts. This is also an option, and may happen.

 

[topseed]

I'd let Hubbard walk, and keep Finney and Feiler. The Steelers can sign both of those guys for less than what some team is probably going to offer Hubbard.