Steelers could be signing a productive defensive tackle soon

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add depth to their defensive line as Larry Ogunjobi visits the team. Here’s what he could offer on defense if he signs.

After Stephon Tuitt officially announced his retirement from football, many fans expected the Steelers to look for outside help at the defensive tackle position — even with the pending return of Tyson Alualu from injured reserve and the addition of DeMarvin Leal in the third round this year.

Tuitt never saw a snap during the 2021 season, but his absence was clearly felt. A defense that finished top-6 in the league from 2017 to 2020 took a massive step backward last season. By the end of the year, Pittsburgh’s run defense ranked 32nd in the NFL in both yards allowed and yards per carry surrendered.

Now it appears that Omar Khan and the Steelers are seeking some outside help to solidify the interior defensive line. Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday morning that Pittsburgh is bringing in former Browns and Bengals defensive tackle, Larry Ogunjobi, for a visit.

The current free agent is coming off the most productive season of his career as a member of the Bengals in 2021 — earning 7.0 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 16 quarterback hits in 16 starts, via Pro Football Reference.

Ogunjobi has been a starter in four of his first five NFL seasons since entering the league as a former third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns back in 2017. During this time, he has compiled 21.5 career sacks to go with 229 total tackles and an impressive 41 tackles for a loss.

What would Ogunjobi offer the Steelers?

With Larry Ogunjobi making the trip to Pittsburgh to meet with the staff, it seems likely that he could become a member of the team soon. But what does the veteran have to offer the Steelers?

While his production looks solid on paper, Ogunjobi hasn’t necessarily been a well-rounded football player. According to Pro Football Focus, Ogunjobi’s overall grade has gone down each year since entering the league. In 2021, he earned an overall grade of just 47.5 — ranking 89th among 109 qualifying defensive tackles.

Ogunjobi is certainly not Stephon Tuitt, and if signed, he would probably only have a role as a rotational defensive tackle. At 6’3” and 305 pounds, Ogunjobi specializes as an interior pass-rusher, but he’s not very stout against the run (as evidenced by his 34.7 grade in this department).

The Steelers would likely use Ogunjobi as a sub-package interior pass-rusher and he would rarely be on the field on early downs or in base formation. Still, this wouldn’t be a bad signing, as the veteran defensive lineman has both experience and production at the NFL level.

Pittsburgh has some young players they are going to turn to in an effort to help fill the void left by Stephon Tuitt, but adding Larry Ogunjobi to the mix could give them more depth and pass rush ability from the inside.