4 free agent pass rushers Steelers could have had instead of Bud Dupree

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have made a mistake giving the franchise tag to edge defender, Bud Dupree. Here are five free agents they could have signed for less.

When it came time for teams to hand out franchise tags for the 2020 season, it wasn’t at all surprising to see the Steelers lock up Bud Dupree for this year. The former first-round draft choice is coming off his best season as a professional in which he compiled 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss in 16 games.

Despite his success last season, his efficiency rushing the passer was just modest, and there are many who believe that the $15.828 million franchise tag is too much. Recently, however, the Steelers edge defender filed a grievance to be paid as a defensive end – a number that would guarantee him $17.788 million in 2020.

Though Dupree has developed into a solid player for the Steelers, I think we all can agree that he’s not worth nearly $18 million this season. If Pittsburgh would have been open to other options, they could have had other very respectable pass rushers on cheaper deals.

Here are five free-agent pass rushers the Steelers could have signed instead of giving the franchise tag to Bud Dupree:

Dante Fowler

Dante Fowler had nearly identical production to Dupree in 2019 (11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss), but the former first-round pick could have come at an even cheaper price. Fowler signed a 3-year, $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason – earning him $15 million per season.

Dupree, on the other hand, is set to make more than that on the franchise tag alone. If he plays well again in 2020, he will no doubt blow Folwer’s money out of the water. Dante Fowler could have given the Steelers the same level of football player at a cheaper price.