Pittsburgh Steelers: Grading big free agent signings so far

Joe Haeg, OT (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Grade: C+

The Steelers brought in former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Joe Haeg on a two-year, $4.6 million deal after the versatile lineman won a Super Bowl with the NFC squad.

Haeg is a former fourth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts and has plenty of experience at both tackle and guard having played both positions for the Bucs last season. He is most known for dropping a potential touchdown pass in the Super Bowl but we don’t think Pittsburgh will have him running many routes.

Haeg has been primarily a depth player recently but did start three games for Tampa last season and started 14 and 15 games in his first and second seasons with Indianapolis. The Steelers generally don’t spend much on outside free agents so giving a backup lineman over $4 million is a bit surprising but they could view him as a potential starter as well.

The Steelers, as mentioned earlier, had the worst rushing attack in the NFL last year and building up their offensive line was a major priority. Cap space issues kept them from being big spenders but they could prioritize that position group in the draft and adding Haeg does not keep them from doing that.