Analyst believes Steelers should sign former first-round DT in free agency

The Steelers defensive line is aging. CBS Sports believes Pittsburgh should sign Washington's 2018 first-round pick in free agency.

If DT Daron Payne does hit the open market as he's expected to, the Steelers should prioritize signing him above anyone else, according to Jordan Dajani.

"It's difficult to stand out on a defensive line that features Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, but Payne absolutely did," Dajani said. "The Steelers could just opt to sign a rising star whose best football is ahead of him."

Payne would bolster Pittsburgh's defensive line immediately, coming off of his best season yet. The 25-year-old posted 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 2022.

Steelers nose tackles Montravius Adams and Tyson Alualu combined for just 39 tackles and 0.5 sacks this season, putting their futures in Pittsburgh up in the air.

The question is whether or not the Steelers will be able to afford him. Payne is projected to receive a five-year, $97.46 million contract, according to Spotrac.

His estimated $19.4 million price per year is daunting and has some doubting it will even happen.