If not Dont’a Hightower, then who?
Associated Press
Steelers running back Le鈥橵eon Bell is pursued by Bills linebacker Zach Brown during the second half of a game on Dec. 11.
Philadelphia Eagles' Connor Barwin gestures during the first half of a game against the New York Giants on Dec. 22, 2016.
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks in October.
PITTSBURGH 鈥� The moment the plane carrying Dont鈥檃 Hightower went wheels up from Pittsburgh International on Tuesday night, there apparently went with it the Steelers鈥� biggest target to date in free agency.
Maybe it was all a bit much to ask. The Steelers landing the best available player on the open market? Pshaw.
Maybe Hightower was indeed using the Steelers as leverage for a sweeter deal from his employer, the New England Patriots. It would not be the first time that a Patriot has abused the Steelers. You might recall January蘑菇视频 AFC Championship game.
The question for the Steelers moving forward, if not Hightower: What now?
The Steelers still have a need at linebacker (inside and out) and cornerback. Of the visitors to the South Side during these early days of free agency, those are the positions that the Steelers have looked at so far.
After being rebuffed by Hightower, it蘑菇视频 not quite back to the drawing board, but it could be a return to the strategy that has served them well over the years. That means the Steelers will look to build through the draft and, if the opportunity presents itself, perhaps dabble in free agency. On Wednesday, the Steelers signed one of their recent visitors, landing wide receiver Justin Hunter, their first outside free agent.
While most of the big name free agents have already latched on elsewhere, there are still less sexier options available to them.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Zach Brown (Buffalo): No, not the country singer. Think Hightower-Lite. The former Titan and Bill has 292 solo tackles and 14 sacks in five seasons.
Sean Spence (Tennessee): Yes, him again. Former Steelers third-rounder in 2012 knows the system and finally appears healthy after missing his first two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Kevin Minter (Arizona): Just 26 years old and coming off a season in which he had 3.5 sacks, Minter could come with hefty price tag as he is viewed as player with considerable upside.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Erik Walden (Indianapolis): He蘑菇视频 32 and the reviews of Walden蘑菇视频 play are less-than-flattering, but 11.0 sacks in 2016 is 11.0 sacks. That would be six more sacks than James Harrison, who led the Steelers last season.
Elvis Dumervil (Baltimore): Old? Yep. Beat up? Yep. Still, at 33 Dumervil is younger than James Harrison and has pedigree (99 career sacks). Could serve as another mentor until the Steelers鈥� top pick, presumably, is up to speed.
CORNERBACKS
Malcolm Butler (New England): Not technically on the market yet, but the Patriots could be moving on after signing Stephon Gilmore. Super Bowl 49 hero could draw huge contract.
Darrelle Revis (N.Y. Jets): Just throwing it out there. On a one-year (cheap), prove-it contract the Aliquippa native could intrigue. Failing that, the 32-year-old could always play safety.