Pittsburgh Steelers free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a ball before an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 27: Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos on the field in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. DE Derek Wolfe (Denver Broncos)

Back to the Steelers’ defense. Yea, it was the side of the ball that kept Mike Tomlin’s depleted team in the playoff chase after that miserable start, Keith Butler’s group wasn’t without its issues once again. This was a group that relied more on taking away the football than actually stopping opponents.

Yes, only five teams in the league allowed fewer total yards per game and only the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers permitted fewer yards through the air. But Butler’s unit was a mediocre 14th in the NFL against the run. And while the final numbers show that the Steelers gave up 109.6 yards per game on the ground, there were six outings (5 of those resulting in defeat) in which Pittsburgh defenders were pushed around for at least 130 yards rushing.

End Stephon Tuitt was off to a terrific start in 2019 but was lost for the season after six games (and 3.5 sacks) with a torn pectoral muscle. And the team has a decision to make on nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who can become an unrestricted free agent come mid-March. So could the Steelers take a look at Denver Broncos’ veteran Derek Wolfe? He’s started at least 10 games in each of his eight seasons and in 12 outings this past season he totaled a career-best seven sacks. The seasoned pro could add a lot to a defensive front in need of experienced depth.

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