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Disclaimer: The author realizes that the 2021 Steelers are probably going to be burning in Salary Cap Hell and can’t pony up much money for free agents. However, you never know what they have planned and it’s the author’s responsibility to highlight the free agent options.
The Steelers have had solid play on the defensive line recently. Tyson Alualu was a major reason why. No. 94 is a free agent though and could leave the Steel City. Should that happen and the Steelers decide that they need to look for an interior defensive linemen, this is who is looking for a deal.
ONCE AGAIN. THE AUTHOR REALIZES THAT THE STEELERS DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS FOR MANY OF THESE PLAYERS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE LIST OF WHO IS AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE AND THE STEELERS. YOU CAN CRITICIZE THE IDIOT AUTHOR ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR BLEACHER REPORT COMMENTS SECTION FOR WASTING YOUR TIME AND NOT KNOWING ANYTHING AT ALL, AGAIN AND AGAIN. HOWEVER, THESE WILL CONTINUE TO APPEAR.
Most Notable Free Agent Defensive Tackles
Leonard Williams - New York Giants
Age 26, 6’5”/302 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #15
Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 4.97
Combined Tackles: 57, Solo Tackles: 29, Tackles For Loss: 14, QB Hits: 30, Hurries: 12, Sacks 11.5, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 1, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 79.8 (High Quality), Run Defense: 82.6 (High Quality), Pass Rush: 69.9 (Above Average), Coverage: 55.8 (Average)
It took a long time for Williams to find his groove after being selected in the first round with the Jets, but 2020 was a standout year for the New York Football Giant. Exceptional against the run, the sixth-overall pick out of USC in 2015 had 13 sacks last season. Williams could get a $20 million per year deal according to PFF.
Shelby Harris - Denver Broncos
Age 29, 6’2”/290 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #8
Stats: Games Played - 11, Speed - 4.9
Combined Tackles: 32, Solo Tackles: 20, Tackles For Loss: 4, QB Hits: 11, Hurries: 6, Sacks 2.5, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 7, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 88.3 (Elite), Run Defense: 76.1 (High Quality), Pass Rush: 83.1 (High Quality), Coverage: 57.6 (Average)
Shelby Harris is an underrated that is equally staunch against the run as he is adept at getting to the quarterback. In fact, he’s one of the game’s top run stopper. The seventh-round pick is approaching 30, so that could hinder his getting a longer deal. But still, PFF projects a three-year pact worth around $11 million per year.
Dalvin Tomlinson - New York Giants
Age 27, 6’3”/318 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #25
Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 5.19
Combined Tackles: 49, Solo Tackles: 25, Tackles For Loss: 8, QB Hits: 10, Hurries: 5, Sacks 3.5, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 4, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 75.1 (High Quality), Run Defense: 70.3 (Above Average), Pass Rush: 74.6 (Above Average), Coverage: 57.6 (Average)
Tomlinson is a tremendous run-stuffing nose tackle that has a nose for the quarterback as well. PFF projects Dalvin getting circa $13 million per year.
Sheldon Rankins - New Orleans Saints
Age 27, 6’2”/305 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #66
Stats: Games Played - 12, Speed - 5.03
Combined Tackles: 20, Solo Tackles: 13, Tackles For Loss: 3, QB Hits: 9, Hurries: 3, Sacks 1.5, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 1, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 57.8 (Average), Run Defense: 56.7 (Average), Pass Rush: 62.3 (Average), Coverage: 54.8 (Below Average)
Rankins was slow to rebound last year after an Achilles injury shelved him in 2019. But he has put some stellar seasons under his belt. Yet another run stopper that doesn’t get to the quarterback as much. Nonetheless, Rankins is projected by PFF to take home a pact for around 7.25 million per year.
DaQuan Jones - Tennessee Titans
Age 29, 6’4”/322 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #54
Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 5.35
Combined Tackles: 49, Solo Tackles: 29, Tackles For Loss: 4, QB Hits: 6, Hurries: 5, Sacks 2.0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 0, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 67.1 (Above Average), Run Defense: 64.1 (Average), Pass Rush: 65.1 (Above Average), Coverage: 58.0 (Average)
DaQuan Jones has been a solid and versatile defender on the Tennessee defensive line. He could be a bargain signing like Tyson Alualu was four years ago.
Steelers Free Agent Defensive Tackles
Tyson Alualu
Age 34, 6’3”/304 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - #9
Stats: Games Played - 15, Speed - 4.87
Combined Tackles: 38, Solo Tackles: 17, Tackles For Loss: 4, QB Hits: 5, Hurries: 2, Sacks 2.0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 5, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 89.6 (Elite), Run Defense: 82.0 (High Quality), Pass Rush: 80.5 (Above Average), Coverage: 73.2 (Above Average)
Alualu was pretty solid up front for the Steelers in his career in black-and-gold. But his first seson as a full-time starter in Pittsburgh was tremendous. PFF projects a $6 million per year price tag for Alualu. Kevin Colbert and Co. may make Alualu a priority if they can.
Chris Wormley
Age 27, 6’5”/305 lbs.
PFF Position Ranking (Edge) - Not Ranked
Stats: Games Played - 13, Speed - 4.82
Combined Tackles: 8, Solo Tackles: 3, Tackles For Loss: 1, QB Hits: 3, Hurries: 1, Sacks 1.0, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Interceptions: 0, Pass Defenses: 0, Touchdowns: 0
Overall: 83.0 (High Quality), Run Defense: 71.8 (Above Average), Pass Rush: 79.2 (High Quality)
Wormley came over in a rare trade with Baltimore. He didn’t see a lot of action, but graded out solid. But with young depth talent on the d-line, Wormley might end up as just a one-year rental.
Other Free Agent Defensive Tackles
Angelo Blackson - Arizona Cardinals
Corey Peters - Arizona Cardinals
Domata Peko - Arizona Cardinals
Josh Mauro - Arizona Cardinals
Derek Wolfe - Baltimore Ravens
Jihad Ward - Baltimore Ravens
Justin Ellis - Baltimore Ravens
Kawann Short - Carolina Panthers
Brent Urban - Chicago Bears
Roy Robertson-Harris - Chicago Bears
John Jenkins - Chicago Bears
Christian Covington - Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Daniels - Cincinnati Bengals
Xavier Williams - Cincinnati Bengals
Larry Ogunjobi - Cleveland Browns
Vincent Taylor - Cleveland Browns
Eli Ankou - Dallas Cowboys
Joel Heath - Denver Broncos
DeMarcus Walker - Denver Broncos
Sylvester Williams - Denver Broncos
Montravius Adams - Green Bay Packers
Damon Harrison - Green Bay Packers
Billy Winn - Green Bay Packers
P.J. Hall (RFA) - Houston Texans
Carlos Watkins - Houston Texans
Abry Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars
Adam Gotsis - Jacksonville Jaguars
Tanoh Kpassagnon - Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Pennel - Kansas City Chiefs
Johnathan Hankins - Las Vegas Raiders
Isaac Rochell (RFA) - Los Angeles Chargers
Damion Square - Los Angeles Chargers
Davon Godchaux - Miami Dolphins
Jaleel Johnson - Minnesota Vikings
Carl Davis - New England Patriots
Lawrence Guy - New England Patriots
Adam Butle - New England Patriots
Austin Johnson - New York Giants
Trevon Coley - New York Jets
T.Y. McGill - Philadelphia Eagles
Hassan Ridgeway - Philadelphia Eagles
Poona Ford (RFA) - Seattle Seahawks
Ndamukong Suh - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steve McLendon - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Tampa Bay Buccaneers