Steelers Looking to Quickly Re-Up Bryant McFadden

As they create room in the trophy case for a sixth Lombardi Trophy, the Steelers also have some decisions to make. Four of the team's top five offensive tackles are free agents (although Willie Colon is only a restricted free agent), as are starting cornerback Bryant McFadden and No. 3 receiver Nate Washington.

But according to Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, the Steelers have already decided on their top free agent priority. Banks says the Steelers plan to try to re-up McFadden before free agency begins on Feb. 27. With $19 million in cap room, Pittsburgh has some room to get McFadden under contract while also either re-upping Max Starks or trying to bring in free agent offensive line help.The Steelers' decision to prioritize McFadden makes sense, as he is a quality No. 2 cornerback, and re-signing him would ensure that the Steelers keep together the key pieces of the NFL's No. 1 defense. If McFadden was allowed to leave in free agency, the Steelers' best in-house option would be William Gay, who was surprisingly solid as a nickel back this year. In fact, Gay was rated as the best nickel back in the league by Football Outsiders' game charters.

But if McFadden is brought back, the Steelers have four solid corners with Gay and Deshea Townsend giving the Steelers depth and the ability to match up well with No. 3 receivers.

Pittsburgh could also decide to make keeping its offensive line together a priority instead--starting left tackle Max Starks and left guard Chris Kemoeatu and injured left tackle Marvel Smith and backup tackle Trai Essex are all free agents. But in doing that, Pittsburgh would be locking up mediocrity instead of trying to improve on a bad situation.

It wouldn't be that surprising if Pittsburgh re-upped Starks -- he's an adequate (nothing more, nothing less) left tackle with weight-control issues, but there aren't a lot of starting left tackles sitting out on the free agent market, and rookies tackles available at pick No. 32 aren't usually able to step in and star. At this point it would be difficult to spend much money at all on Smith when back issues have sidelined him twice in the past two years. Essex is a dime-a-dozen backup and Kemoeatu has been maddeningly inconsistent.

That's where Banks' story seems to lose its way. He also says that the Steelers will likely make cornerback its top priority in the draft. That's laughable, especially if the Steelers re-up McFadden. While Banks may think that Ike Taylor has been picked on a lot, he's actually the best cornerback on the No. 1 defense in the league. On the other hand, the Steelers offensive line could use upgrades at every position. If the Steelers don't make offensive line their top priority in the draft, then something is seriously wrong.