Steelers Remaining Top 3 Options Left At Inside Linebacker In a Thinning Class

The Pittsburgh Steelers sat back and watched on day one of free agency as other teams opened up their checkbooks to add to their inside linebacker group. On day two, it's been more of the same situation. The team has yet to sign a player for the position and other teams are emptying the free-agent cupboard. 

Update -- The Steelers have signed inside linebacker Cole Holcomb from the Commanders. CLICK HERE to read more about the signing

Steelers' Best 3 Remaining Options

The team was never going to be in the market for paying some of the high prices paid so far, but deals like the one Kyzir White signed to go to the Arizona Cardinals and David Long Jr. to the Miami Dolphins could fall closer in line to what general manager, Omar Khan is willing to pay. 

Below are the top potential budget options the team could try to target.       

Rashaan Evans of the Atlanta Falcons racked up 159 combined tackles, good for the eighth most in the league last year. The 27-year-old added a forced fumble, six tackles for a loss and three quarterback hits according to Pro Football Reference. The former member of the Tenessee Titans has had a propensity for splash plays over his career specifically in his breakout season in 2019 with nine tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits and a fumble recovery for 53 yards and a touchdown. Evans has three 100-plus tackle seasons in four full years of starting and only missed the mark by four in 2020. That kind of consistency should impress the Steelers. 

Drue Tranquill of the Los Angeles Chargers wasn't too far behind Evans registering 146 combined tackles but he beat him in solo tackles with 95 to 86. He could be on the way out with the Chargers bringing in former Minnesota Vikings star linebacker Eric Kendricks. Tranquill fits the mold if you're looking for a linebacker with a nose for the backfield registering 10 tackles for a loss this season and eight quarterback hits. 

Damien Wilson of the Carolina Panthers could be a good fit as a potential reclamation project. The 29-year-old started in only five games for the Panthers after coming from the Jacksonville Jaguars where he started 17 games in 2021 and registered a career-high 106 combined tackles and three sacks. If the Steelers can get him back closer to that form he could be a solid budget pickup. 

The Steelers need help at the position having lost Robert Spillane who had a solid season for the team last year in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders. The other Steelers linebacker, who is a free agent that remains unsigned is Devin Bush but there's little to no chance he's back in Pittsburgh. Is the long-term answer in this draft? The team still needs someone else to join Myles Jack and Mark Robinson next year. 

Or we can just hold out hope the Steelers will sign Bobby Wagner or Lavonte David. 

So Steeler Nation, do you like any of these options to replace Bush for next year? How confident are you in the team's inside linebackers? 

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