The Pittsburgh Steelers will be hosting free agent defensive end Jack Crawford as they look to bolster their defensive line. Crawford has been a strong depth player with the Dallas Cowboys for the last two seasons. During the 2015 season he recorded one start, 21 combined tackles and 4 sacks. The Cowboys value him as a key piece of their defensive rotation, and his role was thought to be expanded with the departure of Jeremy Mincey and Greg Hardy.
With Crawford looking elsewhere for employment, it is likely the Cowboys will need to find some insurance just in case he never leaves Pittsburgh. Before Dallas, Crawford spent two seasons with the Oakland Raiders where he was primarily used as a special teams player, however he has never had a heavy workload. In his career so far Crawford has only recorded 47 combined tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble, so he does have a lot of room to improve in that aspect.
The Steelers have a solid starting group of defensive ends, however they lack the depth that would make this unit elite. Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt had incredibly productive seasons in 2015. Heyward recorded 16 starts, 54 combined tackles, seven sacks, two pass defenses and a forced fumble while Tuitt produced heavily from the opposite side of the line.
Tuitt finished 2015 with 14 starts, 54 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, one pass defense and an interception. Heyward is a former first round pick from the 2011 draft class, and the Steelers used a second round pick on Tuitt which means their starting defensive ends have a pretty high pedigree. The players that follow both of these starters are basically the opposite. Caushaud Lyons has never played an NFL snap, and Cam Thomas and Clifton Geathers are both free agents, so finding some depth along the defensive line is one of the Steelers' top needs heading into the draft.
The Steelers have attempted to fortify their roster by signing players who could attempt to replace the players who left in free agency. When left tackle Kelvin Beachum departed the franchise in free agency to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Steelers signed left tackle Ryan Harris formerly of the Denver Broncos. The Steelers also had a need at the tight end position thanks to Heath Miller's retirement, and they signed former San Diego Charger tight end Ladarius Green. Adding some depth to the defensive line should be the next area of need to be filled, and Crawford would make a solid acquisition in an otherwise quiet offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
