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Free-agent frenzy will start next Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST and many media outlets have been ranking the top free agents and making predictions on where players will land. Yesterday, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports ranked the 100 best free agents of 2021 and he had seven Steelers players on his list.
Below are the rankings and short summaries by Prisco on the seven Steelers players who are free agents.
No. 87 Cam Sutton - "He is coming off his best season and showed some versatility being able to play inside and in the slot. He's an improving player."
No. 81 James Conner - "After a nice second season for the Steelers, he hasn't had the same type of production. He has 21 starts over the past two seasons, but the Steelers poor run blocking has hurt his yardage numbers. He's not a home-run threat, but more of a grinder as a runner."
No. 70 Mike Hilton - "Hilton has been a productive part of the Steelers defense, both as a cover slot corner and a blitzer. Guys like him have value in a league where offenses are so spread out."
No. 62 Matt Feiler - "He can play tackle or guard, the latter being where he played last season. Offensive lineman with multiple positions are valuable."
No. 30 Alejandro Villanueva - "He is coming off a down year and age (32) is starting to become an issue. At his best, he is a good, solid left tackle who can help a team in need. He isn't a great run blocker."
No. 28 JuJu Smith-Schuster - "He is a reliable middle-of-the-field receiver. He doesn't have great speed, but he is tough and knows how to get open. His yards-per-catch average of under 10 last year is concerning."
No. 23 Bud Dupree - "He is coming off a torn ACL, which will drop his value some. But he's a good edge rusher who also plays well against the run. There is value in that."
The Buccaneers were tied with the Steelers for having the most players in Prisco's best free agents of 2021 list with seven, but Tampa Bay placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin yesterday, along with signing Lavonte David to a two-year deal worth $25 million with $20 million guaranteed.