Steelers Named Landing Spot for Rival Defender

The Pittsburgh Steelers have dealt with their fair share of injuries at the inside linebacker position this season, and right now, the future feels somewhat uncertain about how the room looks next season. 

While Elandon Roberts feels like a name the Steelers will want to keep around, injured Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander could be question marks. And newly-signed Mykal Walker is too fresh to know what Pittsburgh thinks of him long-term. 

So, to solve their issue, Pro Football Focus's Brad Spielberger believes they can find another reliable name in free agency that will come from within the AFC North. 

Naming a free agent for each team after Week 12, Spielberger believes Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker is the right fit for the Steelers.

"Walker has been impressive so far in 2023, considering the severity of the injury he was returning from, earning a coverage grade above 60.0 for the third straight season after what appeared to be a breakout 2021 campaign. Walker would work well with Elandon Roberts, if Roberts is retained, as the roaming coverage backer and Roberts as the thumper," Spielberger writes. 

This season, Walker, 28, has tallied 36 tackles and three pass deflections and has allowed just a 60% completion percentage. Last season, his allowed completion percentage was 37.5%

The Steelers will need a coverage inside linebacker if Roberts is their only player kept outside of Mark Robinson. And with familiarity to Walker, he could be a player Pittsburgh has their eye on in the open market.