2 free agent prospects the Pittsburgh Steelers must consider signing this week

This option is a little controversial, yet it would add more heft on the inside in run situations.

The Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 game vs the Ravens showed me that they don’t have a run stopper to fill the void Alualu leaves in the middle when he is off the field. I’m not saying that this young depth won’t be able to improve for the future, however, they will need to be able to fill that void in a win-now capacity. My first option is former Pro-Bowler, Dontari Poe. He just got released by the Cowboys for his weight and lack of big plays. Yet, he could be a solid addition to this defensive line.

Dontari Poe was one of the better defensive linemen in the league earlier in his career. His two Pro Bowl seasons were in 2013 and 2014. Between those two seasons, he would tally a total of 10.5 sacks, 96 tackles, and 9 tackles for a loss. 2019 saw him play at a really high level in more of a rotational role for Carolina. In 11 total games, he managed 4 sacks with 22 tackles and a career-high 7 tackles for loss. That was also the 3rd highest sack total of his career. At his age and size, he looks best at a rotational role at this point in his career anyway.

Father time is undefeated. While Poe may be on the decline from the Pro Bowl level play he produced early in his career, he could still be used in a rotational capacity to keep Alualu fresher and more healthy. Alualu is 33 years old and Poe is only 30. While Alualu is having a career resurgence due to his position change, Poe is not looking like he has much left for the long term at least in a full-time capacity. Poe used to be a star, but he has never gotten the chance to hold that elusive Lombardi trophy. He made it to the big game once, as a member of the Falcons where his defense allowed the Patriots to come back from a 28-3 deficit to win the game.

To be able to have a rotational/depth type player who has experience in the biggest football game in existence would be a nice addition. Furthermore, if Poe decides his time in the league is running up he might be willing to take a cheap deal to finish out 2020 with one of the top contenders for the super bowl.