NFL Free Agency: Pittsburgh Steelers Court Lance Moore As Jerricho Cotchery Visits Panthers
By Matt Gajtka
Dec 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) scores a touchdown past Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson (29) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Sanders may have violated some unwritten rules when he signed with the Broncos this weekend, but the fact remains that his expected departure leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers quite thin at wide receiver.
CBS Sports NFL reporter Jason La Canfora reports that free-agent wideout Lance Moore, recently released by the Saints, will visit the Steelers’ facility Tuesday along with running back James Starks.
Moore, who will be 31 when the season starts, saw his production dip from 65 catches for 1,041 yards in 2012 to 37 for 457 last year. He could probably be a capable third option for Ben Roethlisberger, which is especially relevant now that free agent Jerricho Cotchery is being courted by the Panthers.
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Cotchery, 31, is looking to parlay his most effective season since 2009 into a bigger paycheck. The former Jet snagged a team-best 10 receiving touchdowns in 2013 as part of his 46-catch, 602-yard output. In his third year with the Steelers, Cotchery appeared to develop a good on-field rapport with Roethlisberger.
If Cotchery signs elsewhere, that leaves two-time Pro Bowler Antonio Brown and little-used sophomore Markus Wheaton as the Steelers’ top two receivers on the depth chart.
Because of that, even if Moore or someone else comes aboard via free agency, it appears the Steelers will be hunting at least one pass-catcher in the draft.