Gerry: Steelers could lose three starters right away tomorrow Monday, 11 March 2013 18:44 Written by iJoomla Admin Free agency begins at 4:01 p.m. tomorrow and the Steelers are all but expecting to lose at least three starters when it does – WR Mike Wallace, CB Keenan Lewis and RB Rashard Mendenhall.

Wallace is one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market and could be signed by another team shortly after the free-agency period begins. The Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams who would be interested in Wallace, maybe the top deep threat in the NFL.

Lewis is among the top cornerbacks on the market and could be pursued by division-rival Cleveland, which is looking for a corner to pair with Joe Haden. The Browns have the most salary-cap room of any NFL team, approximately $46 million.

The Steelers are willing to part with Lewis because they really like Cortez Allen and think he is ready to be a starter. It’s the main reason they brought back William Gay last week to be their nickel back. Gay signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract.

The Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos are interested in Mendenhall, who fell into disfavor with Coach Mike Tomlin last season and was suspended for one game for failing to show up for a game when he was inactive.

With Wallace and Lewis, the Steelers are expecting them to receive offers well beyond what they would be willing to afford.