Steelers land on top of ESPN's free-agent rankings
· Yahoo Sports
When former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped aside just days after the end of the 2025 season, the team's future was unclear. But once the team hired Mike McCarthy has their new head coach, the team got to work in free agency and were among the most active teams in the NFL. The Steelers shored up several depth charts via free agency and trades.
The team did well enough when ESPN ranked the most improved rosters through free agency; they gave the Steelers top marks. This includes the additions of cornerback Jamel Dean, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., running back Rico Dowdle and safety Jaquan Brisker.
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In fact, ESPN said that there was no downside to the offseason moves that Pittsburgh made. Here's what they had to say about that.
Nothing. It was a ton of doubles for Omar Khan and the Steelers' brass. Dowdle has consistently proved he can moonlight as an RB1 if needed, and he has receiving chops in a committee. Dean is coming off a career year, but the Steelers didn't pay him like he's a CB1, so they might get a nice bargain there. Joseph-Day is a perennially valuable rotational defensive tackle, and Samuel looked healthy in the limited time he played last season. Brisker is a low-risk gamble on another health question mark in a secondary that needs depth to maximize Jalen Ramsey's versatility. Great work this year.
It's hard to argue that there's any downside to the big moves the Steelers made. We also love the addition of defensive tackle Sebastian Josepha-Day, which flew under the radar. If we were to quibble on any of the team's moves, the only one we have any issue with is the upcoming signing of safety Darnell Savage if it means the team doesn't try to re-sign Kyle Dugger.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers land on top of ESPN's free-agent rankings