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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market to add an inside linebacker to the roster for next season. In August of last year before the season started, the team traded a 2022 6th round pick for Joe Schobert, who had been a tackling machine in the past with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns. That trade just didn’t pan out and Schobert performed poorly this season, missing tackles, and playing extremely poorly in coverage. Schobert was an exciting addition to the roster, but was a big letdown. According to PFF.com, Schobert had an overall grade of 52.2 this past season. The Steelers could save close to $8 million if he is cut this offseason. That sure seems like money the Steelers could use to bring in a free agent option to replace the linebacker. Devin Bush also had a down year in 2021, but with the addition of linebackers coach Brian Flores, Steeler fans are hopeful Bush can bounce back in 2022. The Steelers will however need to add to the inside linebacker room in order to upgrade the position. The Steelers could look to add to the room via the 2022 NFL Draft, but I would like to see them add a veteran presence to pair with Bush. Here are some of the free agent options at inside linebacker going into the 2022 offseason:
De’Vondre Campbell
Probably one of the best off the ball linebackers in the entire league last season, Campbell had a stellar season with the Green Bay Packers. Just to compare to Schobert, Campbell received an 85.8 overall grade from PFF in 2021. He finished out the year with a staggering 146 total tackles, 102 solos, 6 tackles for loss, 6 QB hits, 5 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Talk about a stat sheet stuffer! Campbell is projected to receive a multi-year deal in free agency somewhere in the ball park of $6-7 million per year and he would completely be worth it. Not only would he be a solid addition to the defense, but he would be a great veteran pairing alongside Bush.
Alex Anzalone
One of the biggest aspects of the game the Steelers inside linebackers struggled with in 2021 was coverage. Anzalone has played extremely well in coverage in his career. For most of his career, he has been the “next man up” option for the teams he has been on. He would be a much cheaper option than Campbell. Anzalone started in every game that he played in for the Detroit Lions this past season. He finished 2021 with 78 total tackles, 49 solos, 2 QB hits, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 7 passes defended, and 1 interception for the Lions. Anzalone would definitely be an upgrade over Schobert, especially in the passing game. If the Steelers want to add a mid-tier option at the position, Anzalone would be a solid choice.
Foyesade Oluokun
Oluokun will be going into his 5th season in the NFL next season. He posted over 100 tackles for the second time in his career in 2021 after first doing it in 2020. The linebacker has seemed to hit his stride. He totaled 192 tackles, 102 solos, 4 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, 2 sacks, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Not only is the linebacker a tackling machine, he played extremely well in coverage as well. Oluokun is projected to receive a contract in the 3 year- $22.5 million range. The Steelers could use that money elsewhere, but Oluokun is an emerging star who shows no signs of slowing down. If you want to get the best out of Bush, pairing him with a guy like Oluokun would be ideal!
Kyzir White
A converted safety coming out of West Virginia University, White has adapted well to the linebacker position, especially in today’s NFL. He would be a very solid addition to this Steelers’ defense. Due to his experience at safety, White’s coverage ability is superior to a lot of the other free agent options at the inside linebacker position. In 2021 with the Los Angeles Chargers, White tallied 144 tackles, 90 solos, 7 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, 1 sack, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. According to PFF, White is projected to receive a contract in the ballpark of 2 years-$9.5 million. If that is accurate, I’m running that contract to White’s doorstep.
Anthony Hitchens
Hitchens was just recently cut by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the week. Hitchens could be a cheaper option to add to the room, but has been a reliable option at the position since he came into the league with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. Hitchens finished 2021 totaling 80 tackles, 41 solos, 4 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, and an interception.
The Steelers need to add to the inside linebacker room in order to improve the position. Who would you like to see the team add at inside linebacker? Sound off in the comment section below!
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De’Vondre Campbell
Probably one of the best off the ball linebackers in the entire league last season, Campbell had a stellar season with the Green Bay Packers. Just to compare to Schobert, Campbell received an 85.8 overall grade from PFF in 2021. He finished out the year with a staggering 146 total tackles, 102 solos, 6 tackles for loss, 6 QB hits, 5 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Talk about a stat sheet stuffer! Campbell is projected to receive a multi-year deal in free agency somewhere in the ball park of $6-7 million per year and he would completely be worth it. Not only would he be a solid addition to the defense, but he would be a great veteran pairing alongside Bush.
Alex Anzalone
One of the biggest aspects of the game the Steelers inside linebackers struggled with in 2021 was coverage. Anzalone has played extremely well in coverage in his career. For most of his career, he has been the “next man up” option for the teams he has been on. He would be a much cheaper option than Campbell. Anzalone started in every game that he played in for the Detroit Lions this past season. He finished 2021 with 78 total tackles, 49 solos, 2 QB hits, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 7 passes defended, and 1 interception for the Lions. Anzalone would definitely be an upgrade over Schobert, especially in the passing game. If the Steelers want to add a mid-tier option at the position, Anzalone would be a solid choice.
Foyesade Oluokun
Oluokun will be going into his 5th season in the NFL next season. He posted over 100 tackles for the second time in his career in 2021 after first doing it in 2020. The linebacker has seemed to hit his stride. He totaled 192 tackles, 102 solos, 4 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, 2 sacks, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Not only is the linebacker a tackling machine, he played extremely well in coverage as well. Oluokun is projected to receive a contract in the 3 year- $22.5 million range. The Steelers could use that money elsewhere, but Oluokun is an emerging star who shows no signs of slowing down. If you want to get the best out of Bush, pairing him with a guy like Oluokun would be ideal!
Kyzir White
A converted safety coming out of West Virginia University, White has adapted well to the linebacker position, especially in today’s NFL. He would be a very solid addition to this Steelers’ defense. Due to his experience at safety, White’s coverage ability is superior to a lot of the other free agent options at the inside linebacker position. In 2021 with the Los Angeles Chargers, White tallied 144 tackles, 90 solos, 7 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, 1 sack, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. According to PFF, White is projected to receive a contract in the ballpark of 2 years-$9.5 million. If that is accurate, I’m running that contract to White’s doorstep.
Anthony Hitchens
Hitchens was just recently cut by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the week. Hitchens could be a cheaper option to add to the room, but has been a reliable option at the position since he came into the league with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. Hitchens finished 2021 totaling 80 tackles, 41 solos, 4 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, and an interception.
The Steelers need to add to the inside linebacker room in order to improve the position. Who would you like to see the team add at inside linebacker? Sound off in the comment section below!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
