Age is starting to affect the Steeler's defensive line as a unit. Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton are the two players who still had terrific seasons, but those outside of them are struggling. Pittsburgh dipped their toes into this investment in last year's draft with Logan Lee, but that isn't enough. They must infuse money and draft picks up front like they did on the offensive line.
Retooling the defensive line could have a clear path this offseason. A couple of free agents would be tremendous additions for the Steelers. The draft is another possibility, as the prospects up front are talented and full of depth. Pittsburgh is in great shape if they want to be serious about getting younger and better in the trenches.
The Steelers must make smart decisions about who to add and subtract from the roster. These three moves would be a quick fix for a struggling defensive line.
Steelers must cut Larry Ogunjobi and older depth players
Expect a few cap casualties to get the axe along the defensive line. Larry Ogunjobi is the easiest decision among those players. He would save the club seven million bucks if they cut him today. Expect him to go, and that opens a starting spot next to Heyward. Maybe Benton gets to slide over, or a possible rookie or free-agent addition replaces him.
It could make sense for Montravius Adams and Dean Lowry to get the boot. Cutting both of them would save the team under five million bucks. Lowry was disappointing overall, and his cap savings could be spent elsewhere. Adams was hurt most of the year, but he is the most likely to return out of the two. Lowry and Adams should be released if the Steelers want to get younger.
Pittsburgh should sign a young defensive tackle in free agency
There are a handful of defensive tackles in free agency to consider.
If the Steelers want to put a band-aid on the aging problem, they could always go after D.J. Jones or Javon Hargrave. Jones is more of a run-stuffer, so you would rely on a rookie or Benton to provide some pass rush. Hargrave played for the Steelers and would be an all-around player, but he is coming off a season-ending injury.
The Steelers will show they are committed to getting younger if they sign Milton Williams. Andy Weidl, the assistant general manager of Pittsburgh, was with the Eagles organization when they took Williams in the draft. He will get paid a pretty penny when he hits free agency, and signing him should be a priority. He is a young player who has a similar career trajectory as Hargrave.
READ MORE: Steelers' possible 2025 cap casualties (and free agents who could replace them)
The draft is full of talent in a rich class of defensive linemen
You'd think signing someone like Williams would be it, but the Steelers should remain aggressive.
Heyward isn't getting any younger, so adding to the defensive line remains. Adding Williams helps replace Ogunjobi, but they cannot go forward with Benton as the only reliable rotational player. Pittsburgh has shown plenty of pre-draft interest in the defensive line. Some might want offensive players, but they could use help on the other side of the ball.
With the amount of interest they have shown, you should expect them to take someone before the fourth round. It is a deep class up front, which means the Steelers could land a quality rotational player on day three. Deone Walker and Walter Nolen are two names that stick out. Adding either to a group of Heyward, Williams, and Benton would fix the defensive line in one offseason.