Steelers free agency: Signing a DT to replace Javon Hargrave is a must

The Steelers are going to lose Javon Hargrave to free agency this offseason. Here’s why signing a veteran defensive tackle is a must for Pittsburgh.

From 2010 to 2012, it was an easy decision to extend expiring rookie deals. Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, and David DeCastro were all clearly deserving of rich, new deals and they have been staples to the team ever since. However, the Steelers have had some bad luck recently when it comes to giving players second contracts.

Jarvis Jones and Artie Burns certainly weren’t worth giving deals to, and Ryan Shazier – a player they would have loved to keep around forever – suffered a life-altering spinal injury before his second contract. Meanwhile, the Steelers have a difficult decisions to make with Bud Dupree, and he has been talked about as one of the riskiest players to give a contract to, according to Pro Football Focus.

The one thing we do know this offseason is that Javon Hargrave will not be returning to the team. After inking a deal with Drew Rosenhaus, Hargrave assured himself the opportunity to hit the open market and go where the money will take him.

Outside of Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, and Tyson Alualu, the Steelers are really lacking quality depth along the interior offensive line. Dan McCullers and Isaiah Buggs are the only other backups under contract next season, and if Tuitt or Heyward were to get hurt, it would be a massive blow to the team.

The Steelers are just 30th in the NFL in cap space, and they could look to address this position in the draft. However, signing a free agent defensive tackle is definitely the right way to go.

This free agent group of defensive tackles is really strong this year, and there are dozens of players who are ideal playing in a base 3-4 front. Names like Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels, Jordan Phillips, Michael Pierce, Vernon Butler, A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Danny Shelton, and Andrew Billings are all players who would fit well on the Steelers defensive line. They would come at varying costs, and Pittsburgh may be able to land one of these players as low as $5-6 million per season.

Though that seems like a lot, remember that the Steelers paid nearly the same price for Donte Moncrief last year and even more than that for Mark Barron.

Signing a free agent defensive tackle would give Pittsburgh a player that could play 40-50 percent of defensive snaps and serve as an anchor on obvious running downs. Obviously, getting another player like Hargrave who can cause disruption in the backfield would be ideal, but there’s a reason why the athletic defensive tackle is projected to make $14.7 million per year on the open market this offseason.

In addition, signing a free agent defensive tackle would give the Steelers the flexibility to address the offensive side of the ball early in the draft – perhaps a tight end, receiver, or running back.

The Steelers are going to lose Hargrave this offseason, but signing a veteran defensive tackle to plug into his spot on defense helps soften the blow and gives Pittsburgh flexibility in the draft. It really is a must this offseason.