Bleacher Report Predicts Steelers will Sign FA Edge Rusher Justin Houston

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some salary cap space after cutting David DeCastro and signing Trai Turner late last month, and the team certainly still has places it could use help.

The Steelers remain thin on depth at offensive tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback, and Bleacher Report is predicting that they’ll take care of one of those needs by landing one of the top remaining free agents on the market.

Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton predicted that the Steelers will sign former Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Justin Houston to add to the depth behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

“The Steelers can use their financial resources to acquire arguably the best pass-rusher on the market in Justin Houston,” Moton wrote. “Pittsburgh wouldn’t have to place immense pressure on second-year veteran Alex Highsmith to become a high-quality starter opposite T.J. Watt.  Houston and Highsmith would compensate for the loss of Bud Dupree, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason.”

Right now, the No. 3 outside linebacker role is up in the air, with Cassius Marsh and sixth-round pick Quincy Roche being the most likely picks from the players on the roster to emerge as an option.

Houston had a two-year, $24 million contract expire with Indianapolis this spring. It’s unclear exactly how much the 32-year-old pass rush would be looking for at this point in the offseason.

Originally Kansas City’s third-round pick out of Georgia in 2011, Houston in a four-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in sacks while being selected first-team All-Pro in 2014.

The Baltimore Ravens are also believed to be a suitor for Houston’s services.