A case for — and against — the Steelers keeping each of their UFAs on defense
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The “legal tampering” period for NFL unrestricted free agency — during which teams are free to contact players on expired contracts — begins Monday. As such, TribLive will take a look at each of the Steelers’ 17 players from last season who are free agents, and why (or why not) the Steelers might want to keep each.
This examines free agents on defense, and another edition looked at those from offense and special teams.
Listed in order of snaps played in 2023:
CB Levi Wallace
Bring him back: A respected, high-character veteran, Wallace was an adequate starting-caliber cornerback for the Steelers in 2022 and 2023 — especially within the context of playing under the terms of a two-year, $8 million contract. Though he ultimately lost his starting gig at outside cornerback to stellar rookie Joey Porter Jr. last season, it’s not unreasonable to say Wallace was no worse than the Steelers’ second-best outside cornerback.
Let him go: Wallace is strictly an outside guy who lacks the versatility that is becoming more en vogue in the modern NFL in general and with the Steelers in particular. It also would be charitable to characterize him as any more than a slightly above-average performer.
Prediction: After the season ended, Wallace sounded resigned to the fact he wouldn’t be back with the Steelers. It probably ends a no-hard-feelings mutual parting of ways.
CB Chandon Sullivan
Bring him back: Sullivan was the Steelers’ most-deployed slot/nickel in 2023, and he handled the duties in solid enough fashion. Sullivan rarely got beat badly in coverage, and he provided five pressures (per Pro Football Focus) when asked to blitz. He also did so on the cheap: $1.23 million.
Let him go: Sullivan was a liability against the run, forcing the Steelers to scheme personnel packages to get him off the field in run-heavy situations.
Prediction: As much as Mike Tomlin loves a good slot corner, the Steelers seem intent on cycling through players for the role. Expect that cycle to continue this year.
DT Montravius Adams
Bring him back: Adams loves it here, and over his two-plus years with the Steelers found a niche as an interior DL. Though he was demoted behind second-round pick Keeanu Benton late last season, Adams remained part of the rotation.
Let him go: He will be 29 before training camp starts, and the Steelers have a need to get younger at the position.
Prediction: Though the Steelers could do a lot worse for a fourth or fifth defensive lineman, they would prefer if a younger recent draft pick stepped up. The Steelers also will be keenly interested in D-linemen early in the draft. They probably move on from Adams.
LB Kwon Alexander
Bring him back: From almost the day he signed after training camp had begun, Alexander showed playmaking ability and an aggressive, high-energy attitude. Though he shared time with Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, he was well worth the $1.32 million contract over the nine games he played.
Let him go: For the fourth time over the past six years, Alexander ended the season on injured reserve. Not only is that an alarming long-term trend, there are more acute concerns about the ability of a player who will be 30 to fully recover from a torn Achilles.
Prediction: The Steelers’ never-ending carousel of veteran inside linebackers since Ryan Shazier’s 2017 career-ending injury continues.
LB Mykal Walker
Bring him back: For a player who didn’t make his debut until the week of Thanksgiving, Walker proved a quick learner in becoming a starter who stayed on the field in myriad situations down the stretch and into the playoffs. A four-year NFL veteran who still is only 26 years old, Walker might fit in even better given a full offseason and training camp with the team.
Let him go: Walker was beaten for five touchdowns in coverage (per PFF) in nine games. Though he deserves plaudits for making the best of his situation, let’s face it: He was available in late October for a reason. Walker played only because of all of the injuries the Steelers suffered at ILB.
Prediction: Don’t expect Walker to be at Saint Vincent for training camp.
CB James Pierre
Bring him back: Only six players on the current roster have longer tenures with the Steelers than Pierre. He’s appeared in all but one of the Steelers’ games since 2020, making six starts but evolving into one of the team’s most trusted special teamers.
Let him go: The Steelers showed how little they are worried about losing Pierre when they did not tender him a contract to hold his rights as a restricted free agent last March.
Prediction: Don’t rule out another return on a minimum-salary deal at some point. But also don’t begin to believe Pierre is any sort of priority for the Steelers.
DT Armon Watts
Bring him back: Watts was workmanlike and versatile as a rotational defensive lineman during his first year with the Steelers. A starter the season prior with the Chicago Bears, Watts’ 202 PFF grade was the best of any Steelers defensive lineman.
Let him go: Soon to be 28, Watts has played for a different team each of the past three seasons. There’s nothing that particularly stands out about his play.
Prediction: Though the Steelers will infuse some youth into their D-line this offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising if Adams or Watts is brought back as low-cost depth.
CB Elijah Riley
Bring him back: Riley is a smart, well-liked and charismatic part of the locker room who became a core special-teamer. He is versatile on defense, able to play in the box, deep safety or in the slot.
Let him go: Riley’s production typically can be filled with a rookie or first-year type player with more intriguing upside.
Prediction: The safety depth chart is thin, but more importantly Riley is a player special teams coordinator Danny Smith likes. So why not bring him back at a low salary?
OLB Markus Golden
Bring him back: Golden in 2023 had a similar profile to Melvin Ingram in 2021. Each was a 32-year-old veteran edge rusher who’d had multiple double-digit sack seasons on his resume when the Steelers brought him in to back up T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Unlike Ingram, Golden was a model citizen over his one-year contract with the Steelers. He also added four sacks in limited action.
Let him go: Golden turns 33 this week, and the Steelers have a stated goal to get younger in their front seven. The emergence of rookie Nick Herbig suggests Herbig deserves extra snaps.
Prediction: If Golden returns it might be later in the spring after he finds no strong alternatives, and the Steelers get worried about lack of depth.
ILB Blake Martinez
Bring him back: Martinez led the NFL in tackles … in 2017.
Let him go: Martinez was the starter at ILB for the Dec. 7 game after getting signed off the Carolina practice squad following coming out of retirement in November. After that one-game trial, Steelers coaches had seen enough. He was designated inactive for the rest of the season.
Prediction: Long gone. Probably to go sell Pokemon cards.