7 free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers need to target in the new year

Anthony Walker Jr., Inside linebacker, Cleveland Browns

Inside linebacker might be a surprising need that many would not have thought of when the season began. Devin Bush is the main cause for concern when you look at this position in the middle of the defense. He is supposed to be the main factor on this unit to help communicate and lead them but he has not been able to accomplish that.

He is coming off a tough knee injury so perhaps that is still affecting his play this year. The remaining schedule and next year is going to be huge for this player. He will be playing for his second contract coming up so if he doesn’t produce and play up to his draft level, then he will be flirting with the bust territory.

The entire blame can’t be pushed onto Bush as Robert Spillane and Joe Schobert haven’t worked out as well as the team hoped. Both have had opportunities to be the starter opposite of Bush and neither has stood out as much. Maybe time will help their conquest to become the main dog in the middle.

Pittsburgh will be looking for some answers and one interesting player that could be out there is Anthony Walker Jr. He has not had the best season of his career but he has had a nice overall resume. His best days were at the Indianapolis Colts where he was able to excel next to Darius Leonard.

Walker has over 80 tackles on the season currently and a sack to boot. He would be a nice addition of youth and speed to a defense that needs more in the middle. This player is also just over 26 years old so that would also fit the bill for what the Steelers look for in free-agent acquisitions.