The case for – and against – each of the Steelers’ 19 potential free agents coming back

Though the organization could figure out a way to stay largely status quo, there is potential that the coming months could prove to be among the most transformative offseasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent decades. Plenty of major decisions need to be made, not the least of which related to their goals in free agency.

In regards to their own players on expiring contracts, the Steelers have 18 unrestricted free agents and one player (Vance McDonald) who has a team option unlikely to be exercised. A look at the case for and against retaining each, listed in order of predicted market value:

OLB Bud Dupree

Bring him back: Even if he hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl or All Pro team, Dupree has proven to be the disruptor the Steelers envisioned when they took him with the 22^nd overall pick in 2015. He’s had 19 1/2 sacks and 32 QB hits in his past 27 games, providing a perfect complement opposite T.J. Watt.

Let him go: He’s already made more than $25 million the past two seasons, and the market almost certainly will price Dupree out of any chance the Steelers could fit him under their already-tight 2021 salary-cap. Also, he’s coming off a torn ACL and rookie Alex Highsmith proved a viable replacement.

Prediction: Signs a monster deal elsewhere

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Bring him back: Still only 24 years old for most of the 2021 season, Smith-Schuster was ninth in the NFL in catches (97) and receiving touchdowns (nine, tied). When Ben Roethlisberger has been active over the past three seasons, Smith-Schuster averages 6.6 catches and 76.7 yards per game.

Let him go: Smith-Schuster’s 8.6 yards per reception was the third-worst in the NFL among qualifying wide receivers. Even though he certainly can bring value to an offense, the Steelers have depth at receiver.

Prediction: Another team is likely to give Smith-Schuster big-time, No. 1 WR money that the Steelers will have no interest in matching.

CB Mike Hilton

Bring him back: Hilton is a favorite of coach Mike Tomlin’s, and he’s a rarity in that he’s a slot cornerback whose best attributes are tackling, run support and blitzing ability. Hilton is well-liked in the locker room and a good fit for the Steelers defense.

Let him go: Even in the modern NFL, nickel cornerbacks only play roughly two-thirds of the snaps. The Steelers already have plenty invested in the cornerback position.

Prediction: Bet on agent Drew Rosenhaus finding Hilton an overpriced contract somewhere else.

CB Cameron Sutton

Bring him back: The Steelers’ most versatile player, Sutton provides “above-the-line” play at outside cornerback, slot cornerback, dime hybrid linebacker and subpackage safety.

Let him go: Is he a jack-of-all-trades but master of none? He’ll surely seek and expect “starter money” but has never been a true “starter” over a four-year NFL career. No way the Steelers can re-sign both Hilton and Sutton.

Prediction: This is one of the more intriguing cases among all the Steelers’ UFAs. It could go either way, but the Steelers find a way to retain the value Sutton brings, perhaps viewing it as an investment that pays off handsomely with him as Joe Haden’s successor in 2022.

RB James Conner

Bring him back: If you made a list of Pittsburgh’s top athletes of the recently-completed decade, Conner would have a spot on it. He has 26 touchdowns over his past 36 games. When healthy, Conner passes the eye test as an above-average NFL running back.

Let him go: “Above average” is a fair evaluation of Conner’s status among NFL RB’s; “elite” is not. Injuries are a too-common refrain, with Conner at one point missing all or part of 17 games during a stretch of 21 contests spanning three seasons because of myriad ailments.

Prediction: Signs elsewhere. The Steelers have drafted a running back every year since taking Conner.

OL Matt Feiler

Bring him back: Over the past four years, Feiler has started games at three positions and was a full-time starter for the Steelers at both right tackle and left guard.

Let him go: It could be argued the Steelers had better options at each spot this season, and any multi-year deal would extend into Feiler’s 30s.

Prediction: The Steelers let him go.

OT Alejandro Villanueva

Bring him back: Left tackle is arguably one of the game’s three or four most important positions, and Villanueva has made two Pro Bowls and not missed a start since taking over the job in 2015.

Let him go: By any reasonable view, Villanueva’s play slipped to some degree from circa 2017-18. He’ll be 33 by Week 3 of the coming season.

Prediction: The Steelers wish Villanueva well, and he perhaps retires from football.

DL Tyson Alualu

Bring him back: Alaulu not only proved to be a perfect signing as a versatile top-backup defensive lineman four years ago, he showed in 2020 he could also be a valuable starter for them. Alualu served as the No. 1 nose tackle and No. 3 end with aplomb.

Let him go: Alualu will be 34 in May, and the Steelers have a ton invested in position mates Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.

Prediction: Alualu seems to genuinely enjoy playing for the Steelers, and the team covets his role. Expect a third contract similar to two previous two-year deals the parties agreed to.

ILB Avery Williamson

Bring him back: A proven NFL interior linebacker, Williamson’s midseason transition to the Steelers was relatively seamless. He’s not flashy but dutifully accumulates tackles.

Let him go: The Steelers have their two starters at ILB, and Williamson has never previously been a backup.

Prediction: Signs elsewhere, but if Williamson is OK with being a No. 3 ILB it might work out.

OT Zach Banner

Bring him back: Banner always had the raw ability, and he worked himself into shape and into a viable NFL tackle over his three years with the Steelers.

Let him go: The tape to evaluate him spans all of 55 minutes. Banner suffered a torn ACL in the 2020 season opener.

Prediction: Banner re-signs on a “prove-it” one-year deal to compete (again) to start at right tackle.

TE Vance McDonald

Bring him back: A locker-room leader, McDonald is a reliable blocker and capable receiver.

Let him go: He’s long been overpriced and the Steelers will certainly decline their option on his 2021 salary, so McDonald would have to swallow some pride to come back at a much-reduced rate.

Prediction: McDonald comes back at a salary more commensurate of a strong TE2.

DL Chris Wormley

Bring him back: Trustworthy veteran depth along the defensive line can be hard to find.

Let him go: Wormley would take up a camp spot of a younger player with a higher ceiling.

Prediction: Won’t be back.

P Jordan Berry

Bring him back: Other than a month-long banishment earlier this season, Berry has been the Steelers’ punter since 2015.

Let him go: If Dustin Colquitt hadn’t been so bad in September, Berry probably by now would be long gone back in his native Australia.

Prediction: Signs with the Steelers for the minimum but must win the job at camp.

S Jordan Dangerfield

Bring him back: The Steelers’ special-teams captain, Dangerfield has the respect of teammates and coaches.

Let him go: He’s the definition of replacement-level player.

Prediction: Re-signs for the minimum and comes to his eighth Steelers training camp.

S Sean Davis

Bring him back: Once thought of as a fixture of the defense, Davis accepted a much-lessened role in 2020.

Let him go: He’s probably no better than the fourth-best safety on the team.

Prediction: Looks elsewhere for a job.

QB Josh Dobbs

Bring him back: Dobbs’ smarts and demeanor make him a good guy to have in your quarterbacks room, and his athleticism intrigues as a change-of-pace QB.

Let him go: The dreadful Jaguars cut him four months ago, giving an indication of his value.

Prediction: Depends on if Roethlisberger retires or the Steelers draft a QB.

OL Danny Isidora

Bring him back: For depth on the o-line.

Let him go: He hasn’t unequivocally proven he’s NFL-caliber.

Prediction: At very best, a camp body come July.

OLBs Cassius Marsh and Jayrone Elliott

Bring either back: As a veteran depth piece.

Let either go: Odds are, if needed, each will be available over the summer.

Prediction: No reason for either to take up one of the 90 offseason roster spots.

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