With offseason rosters expanded to 90 players, it’s slim pickings in the NFL free agent market. However, teams continually tweak their rosters throughout the offseason.
With that in mind, here are four current budget free agents the Steelers could have some interest in over the upcoming months.
Note: This list isn’t players who I think Pittsburgh should sign, necessarily — just names that I think the Steelers could have interest in. And remember the “budget” part of the headline — for this exercise, I tried to avoid big names who have been frequently listed as potential fits for the team such as Keenan Allen, Gabe Davis, and Amari Cooper.
CB Mike Hilton
Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
Undrafted in 2016, Hilton became an underdog success story with the Steelers in following seasons, starting at nickel cornerback and becoming a fan-favorite with his feisty style of play.
However, the Steelers ultimately let Hilton walk in free agency following the 2020 season, and the 5’9, 184-pound corner signed with Pittsburgh’s AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Hilton has been in Cincinnati since, where he’s continued to start in the nickel. He was also a contributor in the Bengals’ 2021 season that ended with a Super Bowl berth.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistent play in the slot since.
Now 31 years old, Hilton is back on the free agent market. He’s coming off another year as a starter, and his run defense and blitzing remain among the best at his position. However, he’s never been an elite cover corner, and his fluidity hasn’t improved with age.
In 2024, Hilton had the second-most tackles of his career with 73, and he tied a career high with 12 tackles for loss. However, he allowed the second-worst passer rating of his career at 92.0.
Still unsigned, Hilton could command starting money, but nothing exorbitant. He’s not a high-level defender at this stage in his career, but the Steelers could be interested in a reunion given his experience and past success with the team.
With Brandin Echols playing at outside cornerback to start the offseason, the Steelers’ nickel competition has been between Beanie Bishop Jr. and Donte Kent in OTAs so far.
Bishop could take a big leap in his second season or Kent could surprise, but at the moment, slot corner is looking like the weakest spot on an otherwise star-studded Pittsburgh defense. Remember, Bishop was benched for Cam Sutton midway through last season.
Another question is if Hilton would even want to return to Pittsburgh. He wasn’t signed to a long term deal in 2020 despite how well he performed, and he’s since played for a hated rival for the last four years.
However, Hilton’s quiet free agent market might mean he’s interested in a return to the franchise that jump started his NFL career in the first place.
OT George Fant
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
The Steelers’ offensive line depth — especially at tackle — looks like a ticking time bomb entering the 2025 season. And there aren’t many great options on the free agent market.
Fant started two games for Seattle last season, missing the rest with near-back-to-back knee injuries. His current health status is, of course, a massive variable when it comes to how much he can contribute in the upcoming season. It might also explain why a veteran offensive tackle with 75 career starts has yet to sign with a team in free agency.
George Fant is up there with the Kevin Dotson acquisition for being some of the most shrewd off-season depth additions along the OL.
Really nice job by Fant here on the ‘Trey' block getting vertical & lateral displacement against high-quality competition (Derrick Brown) pic.twitter.com/sjw1bfU0ZM
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 31, 2023
But if Fant will be available for the regular season, he might be the best available option for teams looking for an upgrade at swing tackle. Fant has multiple career starts at both left and right tackle over his career.
That isn’t to say Fant’s 2024 tape is impressive — he wasn’t great in pass protection and repeatedly struggled with power rushes. However, he’s big, athletic, and aggressive as a run blocker — and again, he’s one of the better options available in a limited O-line free agent market.
On the wrong side of 30 and dealing with health concerns, Fant probably won’t be commanding a starting job or starting money in 2025; he signed for just $4.55 million per year on his last contract with Seattle.
He’s at the point in his career where taking a depth job with less wear and tear makes a lot of sense. And on the Steelers’ side of things, Fant can be another experienced, veteran presence in an extremely young Pittsburgh offensive line group.
WR Brandon Powell
Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Signing Brandon Powell today would not noticeably change the Steelers wide receiver room in any way. But if the group gets banged up over the offseason, the former Vikings pass-catcher would fit in well.
Powell made this list because looking over his film revealed a player who has a lot of similarities to the receiver types the Steelers have added over the last few years. He’s an undersized (5’8, 181 pounds) pass-catcher who was asked to do a lot of dirty work in the Minnesota offense. His effort repeatedly stood out as a blocker even if he wasn’t always a difference-maker given his size.
In 2023, Powell logged a 29-catch, 324-yard season that showed he could be a contributor on offense — and 18 of those receptions went for first downs. His RAS testing out of college was rough, but he has a bit more juice as a route runner than expected in the pros.
He also has 68 career combined punt and kick returns, showing some special teams versatility.
Again, these are budget free agents — Powell won’t break the bank or any offensive records. But if the Steelers go shopping for wide receiver depth this summer, you bet Arthur Smith will be interested in the undersized Z with solid hands, great effort in the run game, and some special teams ability.
TE C.J. Uzomah
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Aaron Rodgers seems to like signing former teammates. The Steelers seem to like signing former Eagles.
C.J. Uzomah meets both criteria.
Now 32 years old and coming off a zero-catch season with Philadelphia, the veteran tight end is nearing the end of his NFL career. However, he still logged 132 offensive snaps in his seven regular season games as an Eagle last season, looking great as a blocker — especially for a player who was known as a receiving-only tight end earlier in his career.
Uzomah contributed to the Eagles’ second-ranked running game more than his stat sheet showed, seeing snaps both in-line and as an H-back in 2024. His variety of usage as a blocker fits well into the Arthur Smith philosophy, as well.
Flashback to his 2022-23 seasons with the Jets, and Uzomah never reached the heights of his 493-yard 2021 in Cincinnati, but he still looked the part of a big, reliable target in an otherwise uninspiring passing attack. And while he’s not the athlete he used to be, Uzomah still moves pretty well for a 6’6, 263-pound human being. And as a run blocker, he gets to the second level with ease.
After losing Donald Parham Jr. for the season with a torn Achilles, Uzomah could be an option for the Steelers if they need to fill out the tight end room. Assuming Uzomah is recovered from his late-season abdominal injury, he still looks the part of an NFL tight end.
Do any “budget” free agents — from this list or in general — stand out to you? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
