Pittsburgh Steelers: Grading big free agent signings so far

Zach Banner, OL (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Grade: C

The Steelers brought back a player they see as a starter in versatile offensive lineman Zach Banner who signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with $3.25 million guaranteed. Banner was originally a fourth round pick of the Colts in 2017 but he has found a home in the AFC North with the Steelers.

Banner was projected to be the starting right tackle for the Steelers coming out of training camp but he tore his ACL in the first game of the season. Having a mauler like Banner who weighs in at 6-8, 360 pounds would have been a massive help for a rushing attack that was the worst in the NFL despite having talented backs like Benny Snell and James Conner in the backfield.

The Steelers are betting on their internal development and ability to make Banner from a fringe player to a fulltime starter, something they have done several other times including with Pro Bowl LT Alejandro Villanueva who came to the league as an undrafted free agent. Bringing back Banner gives the Steelers the option of keeping him at RT or shifting him over to LT if they are unable to agree to terms with Villanueva who is currently a free agent.

This is a deep tackle class so signing Banner or even bringing back Villanueva would not keep them from drafting the tackle of the future but there is still plenty of unknowns around him as a player and starter.