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Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 free agents to sign in order to win in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 and Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers shake hands before a game against the Tennessee Titans during week three of preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 and Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers shake hands before a game against the Tennessee Titans during week three of preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 22: Damon Harrison #98 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lions defeated the Eagles 27-24. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 22: Damon Harrison #98 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lions defeated the Eagles 27-24. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. DT Damon Harrison (Released by Detroit Lions)

For the better part of four seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the better defensive fronts in the league. End Stephon Tuitt (when healthy) and three-time Pro Bowler Cameron Heyward flanked nose tackle Javon Hargrave. The trio made life easier for the team’s linebacking corps, most notably outside performers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree.

This offseason, the man in the middle got big money to join the Philadelphia Eagles. Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert did orchestrate a trade with the rival Baltimore Ravens to acquire interior defensive lineman Chris Wormley for a fifth-round draft choice in 2021. The club also has some young performers who could fit in the mix.

Meanwhile, veteran Damon Harrison was let go by the Detroit Lions in late February and still hasn’t found a home in 2020. The man nicknamed “Snacks” is highly regarded as a run stopper in the team could certainly use some help there. This past season, Pittsburgh defenders surrendered a disappointing 109.6 yards per game on the ground.

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The 31-year-old performer, who earned All-Pro honors with the Giants in 2016, has missed just one game the past seven seasons combined. And he made up for that in ’18 when he actually played in 17 contests after being dealt to the Lions during the season. The Steelers could use that kind of reliability on the defensive front.

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