How Justin Hunter’s signing affects the Steelers offseason plans
Steeler fans have been clamoring for the team to bring in some new blood through free agency, and they’ve finally done it:
Source says a deal with WR Justin Hunter is "done with Steelers." If finalized, would provide a deep threat for Big Ben.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 15, 2017
I can already sense some fans will mock this signing as unnecessary, since the Steelers already have a wealth of receivers on the roster, as well as Hunter not being a high-profile free agent target for the league’s 32 teams. While it’s true he may not be the difference-maker that a free agent like Dre Kirkpatrick or Dont’a Hightower would be for the Steelers, it’s still a solid depth signing.
Frankly, it’s also nice to see the Steelers finally make a move.
Hunter has the measurables to be a star in the NFL, but has failed to make an impact during his career; despite being 6’4″ with 4.44 speed. The Steelers will be Hunter’s 3rd team in his short career. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2013, but was later cut during the 2016 season, and then claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, before signing with Pittsburgh.
As of today, Hunter appears to be slotted in the number six spot on the Steelers wide receiver depth chart. The order appears to be:
- Antonio Brown
- Martavis Bryant
- Eli Rogers
- Sammie Coates
- Darrius Heyward-Bey
- Justin Hunter
That’s a busy depth chart, as well as a tall one. The Steelers have kept six wide receivers in the past, and with many of their players plagued with inconsistency, it makes sense to keep six again this season.
However, the addition of Hunter doesn’t bode well for wide receivers Demarcus Ayers and Cobi Hamilton. Both are fringe players who got playing time last season due to injuries at the position. Ayers and Hamilton played admirably, and both had key moments in the 2016 season, but their path to the 53-man roster just got a lot tougher. Maybe even tougher than last season, where both started the year on the Steelers practice squad.
One would think Hunter might not even make the Steelers 53 man, but history shows that the Steelers free agent signings normally make it. In the 2016 offseason the Steelers signed Ladarius Green, Ricardo Mathews, David Johnson, Ryan Harris, and Steven Johnson. All 5 of those players ended up making the Steelers 53 man roster.
Though I don’t like speaking in binary, history shows that Hunter’s odds are in his favor for making the 53 man roster.
Hunter’s signings also effects how the Steelers will approach the NFL draft. The Steelers approach to free agency normally goes along the lines of filling holes so they don’t have to reach for needs in the draft. By shoring up the wide receiver position, the Steelers can now focus on other needs such as edge rusher, cornerback, and running back. This is especially valuable because the Steelers have 4 picks in the top 3 rounds of the draft.
The way I see it, signing Hunter fills the Steelers wide receiver depth chart to the brim. Though they may be tempted to draft a wide receiver if a player with special talent falls, I don’t see the Steelers drafting a wide receiver in the 2017 draft. Talented players like Ayers and Hamilton will be fighting tooth and nail to make the 53 man roster, or even the practice squad, and adding another player to the mix would be messy and make the group far too crowded.
Overall the signing of Justin Hunter isn’t splashy, but it’s a standard free agent signing for the Steelers. Hunter provides depth at the position, upside because of his measurable’s, and free’s up the team for the NFL draft.
