Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 possible free agent targets for the offseason

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Outside linebacker K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a turnover on downs against in the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seattle Seahawks won 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Outside linebacker K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a turnover on downs against in the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seattle Seahawks won 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle attempt by outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos returns a kickoff for a first quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle attempt by outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos returns a kickoff for a first quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

4. Shaquil Barrett, EDGE – Currently with Denver

The Steelers got after the quarterback tied with Kansas City for the best clip at 52 sacks on the year. That marks the second year in a row they have been, or tied to be, first in the league in sacks after a 56 sack year last season.

While they have had success sacking the quarterback, not many of those sacks are due to their edge rushers. T.J. Watt was the bright spot leading the team with 13 sacks off the edge.

Bud Dupree showed a big flash forward in 2018 but still has not become the player most thought he would. Shaquil Barrett wants to be a starter and he could get that opportunity here beating out Dupree.

Barrett has tallied 14 sacks in limited play time in Denver. He wants the ability to be an impact starter and Denver has a couple of guys you may have heard of in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Barrett could thrive in Pittsburgh opposite Watt and form a very dangerous pass rush duo off the edge. Couple that with a possible new defensive coordinator or even just new position coaches and the sacks for Pittsburgh could once again total out to number one in the league in 2019.

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