Roster moves Steelers must make to maximize Super Bowl odds

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Steelers
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 17: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws the ball while pressured by Mike Daniels #96 of the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field on November 17, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Mike Daniels

After losing Javon Hargrave to the Eagles and not addressing the position until the 7th round of the draft, the Steelers currently have Daniel McCullers slotted as their starting NT. While the position has been devalued in the modern NFL, the Steelers still relay on their NT to play 200-300 snaps. While it isn’t vital to have an all-pro there, relaying on McCullers for a full season is a risky proposition.

In steps in Mike Daniels, who plays more like an undersized DE but has the body of an NT. He was a stud in Green Bay but has seen his role in the NFL shrink overtime, logging his worst season last year in Detroit. That said, Daniels provides consistency at the position as well as being a decent pass rusher in the middles.

While he isn’t the player he once was, he still provides a better option than any of the current Steelers on the roster. This way, McCullers can fight for the backup role with rookie Carlos Davis. As well, considering his prior season and diminishing role, his contract shouldn’t be that large, and if the Steelers could space it out over two years it would keep his first-year cap hit near the bottom.