The Steelers made a flurry of moves earlier this week to get themselves in compliance with the 2020 salary cap. And they've been typically inactive on the early free agent market, watching as team after team overpays for what is often marginal talent.
As they have normally done, the Steelers -- and the other smart teams -- wait until the early wave of free agency subsides and the big spenders blow their wad on players they'll likely release in a couple of years in many cases.
As things currently stand, per Overthecap.com the Steelers are $10.85 million under the 2020 salary cap after making a number of restructures, releases and with the retirement of Ramon Foster.
That's not a great deal of cap space, but it's also enough to make some of the moves they would like to make. That includes the $2.08 million fullback Derek Watt -- their only free agent signing to this point -- will count against the 2020 cap.
They'll also need about $4.3 million to sign their 2020 draft class according to Spotrac.com, though they can certainly create more space down the road with additional restructures and a potential contract extension for Cameron Heyward.
So, with that in mind, even if the Steelers don't want to make any more adjustments to their salary cap, they have about $6 million to spend in free agency. It doesn't sound like a lot until you consider Watt's overall deal was three years at $9.75 million. But his actual 2020 cap hit is far less than the $3.25 million to which that averages out.
In reality, $6 million is enough cap space to make two to three veteran signings. And that will be what the Steelers look to do as they fill holes as the second wave of free agency begins Friday.
Here are some players they could look at now that the smoke has cleared, and yes, some of them might look familiar:
TIGHT ENDS
Nick Vannett: This move just makes the most sense. The Steelers have allowed Vannett to test the market to see what's available. He'd like to stay in Pittsburgh. They gave up a fifth-round pick to acquire him from the Seahawks early last season. Signing him back wouldn't hurt their compensatory picks and, realistically, he's as good as any No. 2 tight end they could bring in. Yes, Vance McDonald is still the No. 1. A three-year deal for a total package between $7 to $8 million would make sense.
Charles Clay: Clay is now 31, but he's still an intriguing guy after languishing with the Cardinals last season. The problem with Clay is that he would cost more money than Vannett and also hurt their comp pick formula. He signed a one-year, $2-million deal to join the Cardinals last season. No reason to think he'll be more expensive than that this year.
NOSE TACKLE
Damon Harrison: "Snacks" Harrison is a true run-stuffing nose tackle. And after being stuck with both New York teams and then the Lions, Harrison has made $42.8 million in his career. Maybe he's ready to actually play for a winner. He'd look great next to Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. And the best part is that he was released by the Lions, meaning his signing wouldn't affect comp picks in 2021. A two-year deal in the $12 million range would be about as high as the Steelers could go. That could be structured to keep his 2020 salary around $3 million as they did with Mark Barron a year ago, keeping his first-year cap hit under $4 million to get it done.
Dontari Poe: Like Harrison, Poe was released, making him more attractive. The 29-year-old has made $23.5 million to this point in his career. He's always been a premium run stuffer. And he will push the pocket a bit, but he's not a premium pass rusher. Those guys just don't get paid like they used to. He signed a one-year $8-million contract with the Falcons in 2017. Then, he got a three-year, $27-million contract from the Panthers in 2018, getting released before the final year came due. Like Harrison, the deal here would be two years, $12 million to keep the cap hit under $4 million in 2020.
Brandon Mebane: Mebane was released by the Chargers earlier this week. And he's 35. Does he want to play another year? He can still be effective, especially when he plays 40 percent or so of the snaps, which is what he's done for the Chargers the past two seasons. This would be a one-year deal as a true placeholder for whatever rookie nose tackle the Steelers take the draft to push Daniel McCullers off the roster. A one-year deal worth $2 to $3 million?
SAFETY
Michael Thomas: The Steelers kicked the tires on Thomas a couple of years ago in free agency when he left the Dolphins but he signed with the Giants instead. He's an A-plus special teams player, even at 31. And he can still play defense, as well, though he's better suited to be a backup, which is what he would be in Pittsburgh. The Steelers need a veteran backup safety for what is a young room. Thomas signed a two-year, $4-million deal with the Giants in 2018. A similar deal would make sense here.
Andrew Sendejo: Might as well corner the market on former Rice Owls. The Steelers already have Chris Boswell and McDonald. Sendejo would make it three. He's a stud special teams player who can still step into the lineup and play if needed as he did with the Vikings last season after being released by the Eagles. His experience would be a plus in the secondary.
Jordan Dangerfield: The Steelers chose not to tender Dangerfield an offer as a restricted free agent because they didn't want to pay him $2-plus million per season. But they could certainly bring him back. He knows the defense and is a solid special teams player. A two-year deal at the veteran minimum with a small signing bonus would likely get it done. (Note, the Steelers signed Dangerfield Friday morning, after this article was published)
CENTER/GUARD
Stefen Wisniewski: The Pittsburgh native has been good luck in recent years. He was with the Eagles three years ago when they won the Super Bowl and then did the same with the Chiefs last season. Wisniewski can fill in at either center or guard and not be an embarrassment. But he's not a starter at this point in his career. The Steelers will be looking for a swing interior offensive lineman and Wisniewski on a short-term minimum deal would make a lot of sense. (Note, the Steelers signed Wisniewski Thursday night, after this article was published)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Anthony Chickillo: He's not dynamic. And the Steelers overpaid to keep him in 2019, hence his release this year as a salary cap casualty. But bringing him back does make some sense. Chickillo logged about 10 snaps per game defensively last season backing up Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. But he should be making the league minimum or just above that.
Brooks Reed: Reed has a little juice as an edge rusher. But this is the kind of water you're swimming in when you go looking for edge help. His 22.5 career sacks at a bargain price are about all you're going to get for $2 million or so per year. He does have 87 career starts under his belt, but his starting days are behind him. A one-year deal on the cheap is what it would take here for the 32-year-old.
