The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2018 free agent period looking for solutions after their disappointing playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pittsburgh’s major issues surround their secondary and linebackers, and if they are going to address those issues in free agency, they will need to do it on the cheap.

According to Spotrac, the Steelers have almost $5.4 million available in cap space with several high-end contracts. They must make serious cuts or their choices will be extremely limited this offseason.

The good news is one of the strengths of the Pittsburgh front office is its ability to make the numbers work.

Here is a look at the Steelers’ free agency prospects:

Current Salary Cap Space: $5,394,632

Current Free Agents: RB Le’Veon Bell, OLB Arthur Moats, G Chris Hunter, WR Justin Hunter, SS Daimion Stafford, ILB Sean Spence, RB Stevan Ridley, RB Fitz Toussaint, DT Daniel McCullers

Top Five Targets:

5. RB Le’Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This is a no-brainer and the lone offensive player among the five. 

Le’Veon Bell is the heart and soul of the Steelers’ offense. However, his contract is also due to be an anchor on a payroll already loaded with top stars. It comes down to whether or not the Steelers can actually find the money to not only pay Bell in 2018, but also 2-3 years down the line. It will help that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is due to retire soon, which will help clear space. Several other pieces will likely be cut as well, including cornerback Joe Haden.

In the end, the Steelers could choose to move on entirely if Bell refuses the franchise tag that was placed on him on Tuesday or doesn’t agree to a deal that helps them remain competitive in the future. The 2018 NFL Draft has plenty of running backs available and finding players at that position is something the Steelers always seem to excel at.

Nonetheless, Bell possesses rare talent. Replacing him would be difficult.

4. S Kenny Vaccaro

Kenny Vaccaro
Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Vaccaro entered the NFL with significant buzz, but he never quite lived up to those expectations. That said, Vaccaro has still carved out a solid career, and he’s still improving.

Vaccaro brings an element of toughness to the secondary, which is something that is always a fit for what the Steelers want. He recorded 60 tackles, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks for the New Orleans Saints in 2017.

3. S Tre Boston

Tre Boston
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

See a trend here? The Steelers need help at safety and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Tre Boston might be a fit.

He performed well for the Chargers on a one-year deal, which should earn him a big payday. However, Boston still has some flaws in his game, and teams know it. He excelled in coverage for the Chargers, but he still misses far too many tackles.

Tackling is a major part of what Steelers’ defensive backs are expected to do. Boston should still be a target, because he’s going to be more affordable than other top free agents, such as the Green Bay Packers’ Morgan Burnett.

Oh, and it's hard to ignore his athleticism.

2. LB Derrick Johnson

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Justin Fields surrounded by piles of cash.

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Derrick Johnson
Chiefs.com

No one wants to believe that Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier will struggle to return in full. However, the odds aren’t good. Shazier’s injury is almost as serious as they come, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he misses significant time or even doesn’t play at all in 2018.

Unfortunately, his absence in the Steelers’ lineup proved more than noticeable, and the team must find someone to fill the gap in 2018. The linebacker position has always been one that the Steelers have done a solid job with through the NFL Draft, but there are a couple of good stopgap options available as well. One of them is former Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Johnson.

Yes, he’s 35-years-old with an injury history, but he’s an outstanding leader and a solid coverage guy. Most importantly, Johnson’s age actually works in the Steelers’ favor here. They can likely snag him at a veteran discount on a short-term deal.

1. LB Demario Davis

Demario Davis
(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

The Steelers could take a flier on the riskier, more affordable Demario Davis.

Spotrac estimates Davis’s current market value at $5.1 million per season. If Davis performs to the level of his 2017 season, that number is more than fair. However, if Davis regresses back to his previous five seasons, the Steelers could wind up on the hook for a disappointing contract.

Overall, the Steelers will likely address most of these holes through the draft. However, don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh makes at least one surprise signing.