5 potential new starters for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020
By Tommy Jaggi
DT Tyson Alualu
This one is practically a given at this point. Like the change along the offensive line, we knew that somebody would need to step up and become a starter at nose tackle after the departure of Javon Hargrave to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
Though the Steelers traded for Ravens defensive lineman Chris Wormley this offseason, they otherwise ignored defensive tackle in both free agency and the NFL draft – spending just a 7th round draft choice on Nebraska defensive lineman, Carlos Davis.
With Daniel McCullers being the only other experienced defensive lineman on the team, Tomlin said that Tyson Alualu will take snaps at nose tackle this year. Though it’s not a position he has played often, pinning Alualu between some massive 5-techniques like Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt should alleviate some of the pressure he would otherwise see.
Once a former first-round draft choice back in 2010, Alualu hasn’t been a fulltime starter since leaving Jacksonville in 2016. That will change this year.