The Steelers were reportedly looking for some defensive line help at the trade deadline, so here are six free agents that could boost the teams’ line play.
Shortly after the Steelers dealt Melvin Ingram to the Chiefs, a report surfaced that the team was interested in adding some defensive line depth via a trade. While nothing ultimately surfaced, the NFL free agency pool is rich in line help right now. It wasn’t clear what position the team was looking for, but there are a handful of quality names that could play nose tackle, defensive end, and even edge rusher. Here are six free-agent defensive linemen that Pittsburgh should target since they missed out on trading for some depth.
Steelers could sign John Simon
A name that has made too much sense for too long, veteran edge rusher John Simon is currently sitting on the Titans practice squad and would make a great addition to the edge depth chart. The Steelers lost their veteran presence to the Chiefs, and while Simon isn’t nearly as good of a player as Ingram is, he can still serve as a functional defender.
More importantly, he is still a willing special teams player. Despite him getting older, Simon is still willing to run down kicks and punts while serving as depth on defense. This means that he can still provide value to the team even if he isn’t getting a surplus of snaps on defense. Edge rusher is suddenly one of the teams’ shallowest positions but adding a savvy veteran like Simon would remedy that.
Steelers could sign Brandon Dunn
If the Steelers were looking for some bodies to make an impact on their line right away, Brandon Dunn would make a lot of sense. The former Texan is limited in terms of what he would offer a defense. He is a natural nose tackle and plays like it, as he offers little in terms of a pass rusher. That said, nose tackle is arguably the team’s biggest need along the line right now.
As well, Dunn is only 29 years old right now and is coming off a relatively successful stint with the Texans. While not an elite player, Dunn gets a good push and helps fill run gaps as a nose tackle. He is a throwback style of player. His individual stats will always look mediocre, but he does the dirty work in run defense that allows others to make the big play.
As of now, Isaiah Buggs is the only natural nose tackle on the roster, and he has played hot and cold all season. Carlos Davis was supposed to be manning this role, but he has been injured since the first game and has failed to make it back to the team. Dunn would be able to come in and hold his own in rush defense right away. His individual stats wouldn’t be gaudy, but he would give the team another capable run defender for this line to use.
Steelers could sign Trent Murphy
While Simon has been my go-to for a veteran edge rusher that can help on special teams, Trent Murphy is essentially an upgraded version of him. Murphy has never played more than 65 percent of the defensive snaps for a team, but he has been effective in stopping the run and pass when on the field. He would instantly be the Steelers’ top depth edge option.
What makes Murphy appealing right now is his size and power. Ingram was stouter than Murphy is, but he used his power to generate pressure and set the edge in the rushing game. While the Steelers starters are adept at setting the edge as well, they both rely more on speed and quickness as opposed to pure power to do it. Having that variety gives the defense some flexibility as to who they will send out on a given play.
While not a special teams ace, Murphy can still hold his own in that regard as well. His value would be as a rotational edge threat that can play on special teams in a limited capacity. He would be the third-best edge rusher instantly and would contribute to that reserved role. While Taco Charlton looked good in limited action against the Browns, it would be nice to have a steadier presence along the edge, Murphy would fill that void.
Steelers could sign Geno Atkins
A name that should be familiar to every Steelers fan, Geno Atkins, is still a free agent this late into the season. At one point, he was arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the league, but age and injuries have taken their toll on the former Bengal. Now, he would be looking to contribute to a defensive line rotation, and with the team needing some depth, he would make a lot of sense.
Considering the fact he is a little undersized, Atkins would make the most sense as a nose tackle in base defense that could kick to end in nickel or dime defense if needed. He wouldn’t be called on much this season but having him join the rotation would keep the line fresh. As well, with Buggs being so streaky in terms of his play, having another body compete for snaps would help push him.
Atkins had a tough 2020 season with the Bengals, as injuries held him back and ultimately led to his release. He would need a week or two to get acquainted, but he could become a valuable role player down the stretch. He and Cameron Heyward on the same line could be potent. With the Steelers wanting defensive line depth, Atkins makes a lot of sense.
Steelers could sign Aldon Smith
If the Steelers want to get as close to a player as they had in Ingram, Aldon Smith makes the most sense. The veteran edge rusher was cut from the Seahawks at the end of the preseason, but he has historically been a strong edge threat. He has seemingly gotten his career back on the right track as well, as he played his first full season since 2012 with the Cowboys in 2020.
While he isn’t a complete player on the edge, he can still be a rotational pass rusher. He is ok at stopping the run, but Smith does his best work with his ears pinned back and going after the quarterback. Don’t expect coverage snaps from him either, as he has next to no value there. He is limited in terms of what he offers a defense, but his pass-rush ability makes up for that.
While he doesn’t offer as much in terms of a complete depth player as a Murphy or Simon do, Smith would have the biggest impact on defense right away. He can get after the quarterback still despite his age, and he is an effective situational pass rusher. With the team losing Ingram, Smith could help alleviate that loss by adding a veteran pass-rushing threat.
Steelers could sign Kawann Short
The most logical free agent name along the defensive line for the Steelers is former Panther Kawann Short. The defensive lineman was at one point an elite presence along the interior of their line but injures have derailed his past two seasons. The Panthers released him in the offseason to free up some cap space, and there he has sat since early in the offseason.
Short would be a more flexible Atkins at this point. He would naturally be a good defensive end for the Steelers but is stout enough that he could play nose tackle if needed. He likely wouldn’t make a permanent shift to the inside as Tyson Alualu did, but he could offer another body there and take some of the pressure off of Buggs. At the bare minimum, he would make the team’s defensive line that much more flexible.
Short would be a great rotational piece along this line. His play as a potential nose tackle is intriguing, to say the least, and his value as an occasional defensive end is obvious. Playing in such a reserved role should allow him to stay healthier as well. Short makes the most sense for a Steelers team looking to bolster their defensive line depth chart.
The Steelers were reportedly looking to cut a trade for a defensive lineman before the deadline, but nothing materialized. That said, there are plenty of quality options in free agency for the team to pursue. Keep these six defensive linemen in mind if the Steelers decide to bolster their depth in free agency instead of via a trade.