2 free agents that could take the Pittsburgh Steelers to the next level in 2020

OL Josh Kline

Matt Feiler played admirably in 2019 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, at right tackle. But he has a major fault in the area he is considered his strongest. He is as inconsistent as they come in pass protection. Feiler can go from all but shutting down some of the better defensive linemen in the league, to letting average to sub-par lineman straight around or through him into the pocket.

Feiler has allowed over 10 sacks since the start of 2018. This is including the sack in week 3 of 2020 he allowed Carlos Watkins to attain, which was just far too easy for him. It is disheartening to see a player of Watkins’ caliber just drive straight through your guard. I think Feiler is serviceable, but he is definitely the weak link of this offensive line and that is after the starting right tackle, Zach Banner went down with a season-ending injury allowing Chucks Okorafor to take over.

If I am the Pittsburgh Steelers I look to demote Feiler and bring him back as the swing tackle while bringing in veteran Josh Kline on a team-friendly deal while using the prospect of a Lombardi trophy as the reason for the move. Kline has been a bit of a journeyman playing for New England, Tennessee, and most recently Minnesota. However, Kline has only allowed 11 sacks since 2015 per PFF. In reality, he has been allowing sacks at about half of the rate that Feiler has.

Kline is currently a free agent after being cut due to the size of the contract the Vikings had signed him to in 2019. Minnesota desperately did everything they could to sign Dalvin Cook for the 2020 season and beyond. While Kline could command much more money than the Steelers can afford right now, taking out Bud Dupree’s whopping $15 million franchise tag from this season, out of the equation for next season, more than makes up enough room to work out a longer, more team-friendly deal with a guard that is still in his prime. They would have to pay him more on the back-end but it could work.

While I don’t expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a ton of big changes to a roster that has a ton of talent. Upgrading at a position on the line they are counting on to protect their hall of fame QB is not a bad idea.