4 free agents Steelers could use before training camp

We need depth on the edge and Murphy fits the bill

Murphy was widely known in Buffalo as the robin to Jerry Hughes’ batman. The reason why he is my favorite free agent edge defender is because of his skillset. He is not an elite pass rusher. He has been, however, one of the best in the league for a while at setting the edge in the run game. Without being an uber-athlete, his technique and smarts more than make up for it. I don’t think he can beat Alex Highsmith for the starting job, but he would be a great rotational piece.

It would be a luxury to add such a great run defender on our bench in our division. The Browns and the Ravens are both at their best being able to run the ball. I am far from sold on both Quincy Roche and Cassius Marsh in that department. We saw the playoff loss against the Browns. Marsh was a liability from the start of the game until the end of the game. While Roches was a rotational pass-rusher in College utilized as a rusher and not much of anything else.

At 30, Murphy still has tread left on the tires and he has more than enough left in the tank as a rotational piece. Moreso, if Watt or Highsmith were to go down with injury I would be comfortable with Murphy as a short-term starter until they are healed. While losing Bud Dupree as a pass rusher hurt, losing him as a run defender is far worse.