5 AFC North free agents the Steelers should sign

Steelers need a better backup EDGE rusher

The Steelers have lacked a capable trio at edge rusher since Bud Dupree left. While they have a premiere pair of starters in Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt, they haven’t had a capable rotational edge rusher to supplement them. When one of the starters is injured, it leads to a lack of pressure due to the offense’s ability to focus on the healthy starter.

Chase Winovich could change that for the Steelers. A third-round pick of the Patriots, Winovich burst onto the scene for the team. He tallied 11 total sacks in his first two seasons as a reserve rusher along the edge. He fell out of favor there, was traded to the Browns, and struggled with injuries over the past season.

That said, Winovich can win in a variety of ways and be a capable third edge rusher for this team. Add in the fact that he is a native of Pennsylvania and the Steelers had a lot of pre-draft interest in him and the links make sense. Don’t be surprised to see the team ink him to be their third pass rusher on defense.