The Pittsburgh Steelers were given a 'C' on the free-agency report card that ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando put together more than two weeks into the signing period.
Sando culled opinions from ESPN NFL analysts Bill Polian, Louis Riddick, Matt Williamson and Field Yates and drew on his own to grade every team.
Polian lauded the Steelers' one signing of an outside free agent, saying running back DeAngelo Williams is a perfect fit for Pittsburgh at this stage of his career. Williamson liked the re-signing of James Harrison given the need the Steelers had -- and still have -- at outside linebacker.
The grade sounds about right simply because the Steelers haven't done a whole lot and lost cornerbacks instead of adding to the position.
The Steelers may still sign a cornerback -- and hope to find a bargain like they did last season when they signed Brice McCain to a veteran minimum contract almost a month after the signing period.
But they have made it clear that significant additions at cornerback will come through the NFL draft.
The Steelers' relative inactivity during free agency has been a source of frustration to fans but they have quietly done solid work over last couple of weeks.
Signing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a five-year contract headed off any questions about the future of the most important position in any sport. Williams provides a proven veteran to back up Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers have done well in re-signing their own free agents.
Questions remain at outside linebacker and cornerback. But the Steelers have made it clear they weren't going to overpay at either position even though they did make inquiries about Darrelle Revis before he signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the New York Jets.
































