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Steelers All 90: NT Tyson Alualu

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All 90 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 90 members of the Steelers 2021 offseason roster.

94 • Tyson Alualu, 12th-year defensive lineman
6-foot-3, 304 pounds

Acquired: Signed a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 21, 2017. Re-signed with the Steelers in 2019 and 2021. First agreed to return to Jacksonville this spring before changing his mind and returning to Pittsburgh.

Last season: Moved from defensive end to nose tackle to replace departed starter Javon Hargrave. Appeared in 15 games and made 10 starts, recording 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five passes defended, five quarterback hits and a forced fumble.

Graded out as the No. 9 interior defensive lineman in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

Was a rotational player for the Steelers from 2017-19, appearing in 47 regular season games. Spent six of his first seven seasons as a starter with Jacksonville, moving between tackle and end. Was selected as a member of the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team in 2010. Selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

College: Made 40 starts while playing in all 52 possible games over four years at Cal and was a two-time All-Pac 10 selection. Finished Bears career with 195 tackles and 16 sacks.

Camp outlook: There is no real threat to Alualu continuing to be the team’s starting nose tackle and top rotational option to starters Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt in the team’s two-lineman Nickel and Dime sets.

Future: Signed through the end of the 2022 season, at which point he’ll be 36. Steelers will need to hope 2020 draft pick Carlos Davis develops or use assets over the next two years to find Alualu’s successor.

The rest of the 90: