Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Alualu will have breakout year as backup

Oct 25, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Tyson Alualu (93) celebrates with defensive end Chris Clemons (91) after a sack in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills during NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Tyson Alualu (93) celebrates with defensive end Chris Clemons (91) after a sack in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills during NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Tyson Alualu to a 2yr/$6 million contract this offseason and should find that he’s their best offseason signing of 2017.

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Tyson Alualu, the former top-10 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has been reliable, but never the star he was hoped to be with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, with a new team and no pressure to fill a starting role, Alualu heads to Pittsburgh as one of the best offseason moves of 2017.

As the backup defensive lineman to Stephon Tuitt, Cameron Heyward, and Javon Hargrave, Alualu’s role will be a reliever. Filling in for rest, injury, and different schemes, Alualu will find himself with decent playing time but no responsibility as a starter.

Alualu isn’t going to be a 50-plus tackle player in Pittsburgh. As a backup lineman, he’s looking at 30 tackles a season. But compared to his best season of 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks, the former Cal superstar should be able to thrive in his new role.

Hargrave is going to continue growing and developing into one of the league’s best nose tackles. Tuitt and Heyward are already some of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. Alualu only needs to provide support to his star-studded cast, and with all eyes on the rest of the defense, he could surprise a lot of offenses in 2017.

At 30-years-old, opponents won’t expect much from Alualu, but as someone who has started 87 games throughout his career, he can still wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

He’s always taking on more of an open role in Pittsburgh. Instead of playing the nose, he’ll move from the inside to the outside depending on who he’s in to relieve. As he moves from nose to defensive end, he’ll be able to attack with his athleticism and strength, using parts of his game he was never able to in Jacksonville.

Alualu will take on an entirely different role in Pittsburgh and will thrive with it. Yes, he’d like to compete for the starting job, but as a backup, he’s going to provide extra support as basically a fourth starter.

With less pressure, the ability to play numerous positions, and his supporting cast, Alualu can have his best NFL season without starting a game. As the newest member of this Pittsburgh defensive line, he’s looking to add an element off the bench most teams lack.

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There are big expectations for Alualu this season. He’s not a superstar in Pittsburgh, but he is going to have one of his best seasons yet.

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