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Quick look at roster decisions on the front seven.


Linebackers:

Free Agents: Sean Spence, Terrance Garvin (r).

Still under Contract: Timmons, Shazier, Harrison, Jones, Dupree, Moats, Williams, Fort, Chickillo.

First off, while Spence is a great story and a solid LB, he is on a team with awesome depth and isn't likely to be a starter at any point. I don't really see this being a good opportunity for Spence, so I doubt he resigns, unless his view of his career at this point lines up with a really low contract to be a backup and ST guy.

Harrison is a retirement threat, which in my opinion won't be cause for signing a new player, as Dupree and Jones did pretty well this season, Moats is solid and Chickillo showed promise that he can wear a hat on game day if James steps away.

This is the Steelers, and a year without a draft pick at LB is a rare thing, so my prediction is we draft an ILB, let Spence walk and go into next year with either 4 or 5 OLBs depending on if James retires.

I don't think Spence or Garvin get resigned, there are players ready to fill their shoes in Chickillo and LJ Fort.

Defensive Line:

Free Agents: McClendon, C. Thomas, Geathers.

Still under contract: Heyward, Tuitt, Walton, McCullers.

Sorry Steeler Nation, you won't have Cam Thomas to kick around anymore. He should be gone, and Geathers might be in the mix for a minimum contract to again fight for a roster spot if he's healthy. McClendon is interesting, as he fits both a 3-4 NT and a 4-3 DT pretty well. If he's looking for the same kind of contract he just finished I think he's a Steeler. I don't think we pay much more than that though.

I think we see another draft pick mid to late on the DL, and some bodies to fight for the 6th spot. Walking into next season with just the four signed and some backups would be solid, McClendon gives us an experienced, deep and highly productive defensive front.

After a lot of worry last season the front seven looks to enter 2016 deep and talented, even if they are short a top shelf pass rusher on the outside. Hopefully Tuitt, Dupree and Jones continue to develop and we get more pressure on the QB from the OLBs.

I don't expect any big investments at LB or DL, the front seven ranked highly in run defense and sacks this year due to depth and the talent of Tuitt and Heyward. They should be a strength next season as well.

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