4 free agent edge defenders Steelers could sign to replace Melvin Ingram

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Melvin Ingram just before the deadline. Here are four free agents the team could sign to help replace him in 2021.

Melvin Ingram was starting to look like another incredible find by Kevin Colbert in free agency. The former three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher had gone unnoticed for much of the offseason before the Steelers snatched him up, and Ingram was looking fresh and healthy after playing just 7 games in 2020.

Unfortunately, Ingram expressed that he was not happy in his role, and Pittsburgh was forced to trade him before the deadline. Many expect Taco Charlton to be the next man up, but the former first-round pick has been disappointing and is already on his fourth team in five years.

Pittsburgh could use a bit more reliable help getting after the quarterback and spelling T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith of snaps. Here are four free-agent options that could make sense:

Steelers should pursue Trent Murphy

Trent Murphy may have never lived up to lofty expectations as Washington’s former 2nd round pick back in 2014, but the big edge defender has been very solid throughout his career. Murphy isn’t a sack specialist. His best season came back in 2016 with 9.0 sacks. However, he still has something to offer in Pittsburgh’s edge rotation.

At 6’6” and 260 pounds, Murphy is probably best suited for a base 4-3 team, but anymore, these players are much more interchangeable than they used to be. What Murphy lacks in speed and explosiveness, he makes up with strength, length, and the ability to stuff the run.

At 30 years old, Murphy is still a year-and-a-half younger than Ingram and still has something left in the tank. He was a solid starting edge defender for Buffalo over the past three years, and the Steelers would be wise to give him a look after trading Melvin Ingram.