3. K.J. Wright, LB – Currently with Seattle
There was no denying this season that the Steelers failed to address inside linebacker. They tried to do so by signing Jonathan Bostic but that didn’t pan out as well as they hoped.
Bostic did have a good season but only when defending the run. He was always more of a run-stuffer than anything else but his pass coverage was good when asked to do so.
The problem this season was I believe the linebackers as a group were asked to cover more than they should have. They just don’t have the ability to cover consistently.
That is where K.J. Wright could come in. Although he played in just five games this regular season, he did tally 23 tackles and three passes defensed.
His injury troubles this season could lower his contractual value in free agency, which would bode well for Pittsburgh. He is the kind of rangy and athletic guy they could put over the middle to fill the void still left by Ryan Shazier‘s absence.
Wright averaged 119.5 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 QB hits, 1.75 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 4.5 passes defensed per year from 2014 to 2017. This is the kind of play-making ability the Steelers miss over the middle.