5 free agents the Steelers should consider after the 2022 NFL Draft

Steelers should pursue EDGE Jerry Hughes

I’ve always been a big Jerry Hughes fan. I think that the former Buffalo Bills pass-rusher has been one of the more underappreciated edge defenders in the NFL for quite some time. Hughes doesn’t offer a lot as a run defender, but he’s athletic with an arsenal of pass-rush moves.

At 6’2” and 254 pounds, Hughes isn’t big enough to be a full-time edge defender for most base 4-3 teams, but he would be a perfect fit as the third edge in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense that typically has an overhang rusher on the right side across from T.J. Watt.

Though he will turn 34 years old this year, Hughes only seems to get better with age, and he has graded out as a top-32 edge defender for four straight years, via Pro Football Focus. His 81.2 pass-rush grade ranked 15th among all edge defenders from the 2021 season.

Unlike Melvin Ingram last year — who got really upset with his role in Pittsburgh — Hughes is already used to a part-time role in Buffalo. I’m sure he would have no problem being the rotational edge defender with Watt and Alex Highsmith. This would give them excellent security at the position and he’s only projected to make $3.3 million per year on his next contract.