3 free agent linebackers the Steelers should still consider
As the dust settles on the NFL Draft and fans have had time to assess the Pittsburgh Steelers haul of talent, one obvious question remains: Where is the depth at inside linebacker?
With Ryan Shazier lost to injury in 2018 and only Jon Bostic signed to replace him, the Steelers’ inside linebacker group looks significantly weaker on paper than it did at this time last year. Tyler Matakevich remains the primary backup and L.J. Fort would be the next man off the bench as it stands right now.
An argument could be made that the Steelers have a lot more sub-package options now having acquired two players in the draft who could possibly play a nickel linebacker role this season in Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen.
However, while these (newly drafted) players offer a potential upgrade to the defense on third down and obvious passing situations, neither of them could be expected to step in as a starting linebacker if Vince Williams or Bostic went down with any sort of long-term injury.
Even if the coaching staff has faith in Matakevich, the same cannot be said of Fort or Sean Spence would never have been signed late last season. There is a chance Spence could still return this offseason, but fans surely saw enough in 2017 to know he is not the missing piece the team needs.
Still, there is plenty of time for the front office to address the issue, and presumably relatively cheaply, too. The free agent market has a number of viable talents left available and here are just three linebackers the Steelers should consider before another team snaps them up.
NAVORRO BOWMAN
Only a few years ago, the idea of having a Pro Bowl talent like Navorro Bowman on the Steelers roster would have been a dream signing. Now, the 30-year-old linebacker could possibly be had at a bargain rate. Significant injuries have unquestionably robbed Bowman of some of his exceptional speed, but it would be fair to say he still moves better than many of his peers.
The former Penn State product was released by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 after they drafted Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster but was picked up by Oakland soon after. In 10 games with the Raiders....
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https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/20...till-consider/