Defensive Linemen
Rasheem Green will be 25 going into next season and is coming off his best year yet. He would be more of a 5-technique 3-4 DE and would likely be a replacement for Stephon Tuitt. He had 6.5 sacks, 48 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and 15 QB hits.
Bilal Nichols is again more of a 0-technique, but depending on Tyson Alualu’s health and how long the Steelers thinks he can play, the 25 year old might be worth a look. He has been pretty consistent for the Chicago Bears having 8 sacks, 91 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and 22 QB hits over the span of the last two seasons.
Inside Linebacker
Myles Jack was just released by the Jacksonville Jaguars today. Jack led the Jaguars with 108 combined tackles in 2021, marking his third season with at least 107 tackles in the last four years. The 26-year-old linebacker has totaled 403 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, 15 passes defended, 6.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and three INTs in the 73 games he’s played in his career — 67 of which he has started.
Jermaine Carter is probably the best that checks the Steelers boxes as he was a pre-draft visit, is 27 years old, and is coming off his best professional season and shouldn’t break the bank when it comes to signing. Carter is coming off an 88 tackle season with 3 tackles for a loss, and 3 QB hits.
Jarrad Davis has been a disappointment as a first round selection, but he was a pre-draft visit, is 27, and has connections to Detroit -- but he last played for the New York Jets. Maybe we hit gold again picking up a former first round pick LB in free agency like we did with James Farrior. Davis is an A+ athlete and has had success in the NFL as his sophomore year in the NFL he had 100 tackles, 6 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 10 QB hits, 5 PD’s, and a forced fumble with a recovery. But he has steadily declined in play since. Perhaps worth a look and discounted contract.
Anthony Walker Jr. was a pre-draft visit but he is a rival AFC North free agent and is coming off a great season. The former Northwestern product had 113 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack and 2 PD in his 12 starts last year. Career wise, Walker Jr. has been a tackling machine racking up 456 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 QB hits, to go along with decent coverage stats with 3 career interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. Probably a bit more expensive than the other two, but he is also a better bet long-term at just 26 years old.
Defensive Backs
Donte Jackson was allowed to test the market by the Carolina Panthers and so far he isn't seeing much action. The cornerback market is down in general with plenty of big names still out there. One of those is fellow Panthers corner Stephon Gilmore. Jackson has speed, and is considered an above average zone corner. He can match up in man to man coverage, but sometimes it's a weakness for him. He only allowed 443 yards last season and a 79.2 passer rating when targeted.
Deshon Elliott is a rival AFC North Baltimore Ravens free agent safety who was having his best season until he was injured. He is only 24 (25 by next season) and has improved every season in the NFL. He had an above average SPARQ (Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness) when coming out of Texas in 2018. I feel he could help fill the SS role with Tre Norwood if Terrell Edmunds ends up departing.
JUST SIGNED BY THE JETS
Jordan Whitehead is a local product that I am hearing a lot of people predict could replace Edmunds. He does check the age box at going on 25 years old and he has been productive. I certainly agree he is an option, but as a local player, the Steelers wouldn’t have had to use a pre-draft visit on him as local prospects don’t count against your limit -- but the Steelers chose not to talk with him. He also is predicted to be one of the higher paid free agent safeties in the market as Spotrac believes he will receive and offer in the $7.8 million annually range. Because of those two factors, I don’t believe the Steelers will have interest in his services.
Hopefully, this gives you some potential NFL signings to look into as free agency begins next week. The Steelers hopefully can keep a few of our own, while adding some key players as well. This should be one of the more active off-season's in recent memory given the Steelers cap situation now that Ben Roethlisberger has retired.
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