FREE AGENTS
WR • JuJu Smith-Schuster
He was a big-play threat as an outside receiver when Antonio Brown was by his side. Since Brown left, he has become a possession receiver and last season played the majority of his snaps in the slot. The Steelers typically like to sign young and ascending players to second contracts, but the $16 million franchise tag that could make a second deal possible is too high. And with Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington under contract, it’s a loss the Steelers can withstand
Decision: Let him walk
WR • Ray-Ray McCloud
He’s a restricted free agent, and he was better than Ryan Switzer, so they should definitely consider having him back. In the second half of the season he made some questionable decisions and the big plays in the return game disappeared. It’s probably one of those situations where you re-sign McCloud and bring in one or two others to compete with him.
Decision: Sign him
ILB • Robert Spillane
He is an exclusive rights free agent so he’ll cost less than $1 million to come back on a one-year deal. Considering he played more than any other inside linebacker once Devin Bush exited the lineup after his October knee injury in avgame against the Browns suggests his presence on the team next season is already decided.
Decision: Sign him
RB • James Conner
Conner hasn’t been able to recapture his 2018 Pro Bowl form the past two seasons. The running game has been sluggish for the three years he has been the primary starter. A new direction is needed for him and the team. Decision: Let him walk
OL • Alejandro Villanueva
He has been a durable starter for the past 41⁄2 seasons since taking over for Kelvin Beachum in the middle of the 2015 season. But he’s 32, and the Steelers need to get younger and better at tackle.
Decision: Let him walk
DL • Tyson Alualu
He’s a good run-stopper and versatile enough to play in subpackages, but he turns 34 this spring. What the Steelers have to figure out is if they have any capable replacements in-house. If not, they should sign him to a one-year deal.
Decision: Sign him
CB • Cam Sutton
He’s been a versatile role player for the past four seasons, and it’s time to see what he can do as a full-time starter. He started six games last season when Hilton, Haden or Nelson were out of the lineup and performed well.
Decision: Extend him before free agency begins and make him a starter P • Jordan Berry
He was cut in training camp and brought back when the Dustin Colquitt experiment failed. He’s OK, but the Steelers should search for someone better this offseason.
Decision: Sign him
S • Jordan Dangerfield
He’s a good special-teams player so if the Steelers can get him back for the veteran minimum they should do it. If not, they’ll survive.
Decision: Sign him
OL • Jerald Hawkins
He came back to the Steelers to provide some depth after Banner was injured, but the Steelers can do better. Decision: Let him walk
James Conner: Face of a sluggish ground game.
OLB Ola Adeniyi
He is a restricted free agent so the price won’t be too high. They’ll need some depth at the position with Dupree likely gone. Decision: Sign him