Anthony Chickillo
Chickillo is a depth player the Steelers drafted in 2015 and he has provided just that in his career. He has come in to spell the starting edge rushers and has played the bulk of his snaps on special teams.
The importance of depth and good special teams cannot be stressed enough in the game of football. Chickillo does both well and the Steelers would be hard-pressed to find a solid replacement elsewhere.
However, his 2020 cap hit of just over $6 million may be enough for them to attempt to do just that. The emergence of Ulysees Gilbert, Ola Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper in 2019 provides in house options to replace that production as both depth players and special teams contributors.
Chickillo was drafted in the sixth round in the 2015 NFL draft. The Steelers could opt to replenish the depth of their special teams with their later picks in this draft and just hope to repeat finding another Chickillo in April.
Cutting Chickillo would save the Steelers $5 million on the 2020 cap. This money could again be used to help fill holes in other areas of immediate need.