Steelers Predicted to Sign Panthers LB
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few holes they'll be looking to fill between the NFL Draft and free agency, and off-ball linebacker is on that list. And with some questions about their veterans on the roster, CBS Sports believes they'll add another name on the open market.
The publication did a mock free agency, predicting which teams would sign who of the top available players. For the Steelers, they land former Carolina Panthers linebacker Franke Luvu.
"A QB like Ryan Tannehill would make sense here, but the Steelers have been swinging at linebackers for years. Luvu finally gives them a fast, physical, ascending playmaker whose blitzing skills should pair nicely with those of T.J. Watt," CBS Sports writes.
The mock free agency was set up as a draft, with the Steelers selecting 25th. The order was based on available cap space.
Luvu is a hybrid linebacker, playing both off-ball and on the edge. He's primarily an inside option, but when coming down to the edge, has proven to be a dynamic player, adding a pass-rush option to his game the Steelers would love to work with.
The 27-year-old became the Panthers full-time starter in 2022 and has played 88 games in his career between Carolina and the New York Jets. In the last two years, he's recorded 236 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, nine passes defensed, an interception and a touchdown.
Spotrac has his market value at $11.2 million per year.
The Steelers could look at add a dynamic veteran as they look to have the same inside linebacker success they did at the early portion of last season. With Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts set to return, the three-headed starter group could be on their mind, and maybe Luvu is a realistic option.
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