Steelers 2-a-days: DL Tyson Alualu the Steelers’ oldest player, DL Daniel Archibong seeks role

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2022 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, two per day, between June 11 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

DL TYSON ALUALU

Experience: 12th season

Contract status: $3.46 million cap hit in 2022, after which scheduled for unrestricted free agency

2022 outlook: After missing only two games because of injury throughout his first 11 NFL seasons, Alualu missed all but five quarters of the 2021 season because of a broken ankle suffered early during a Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. His absence was felt by the Steelers the rest of the season; it’s no coincidence they had the NFL’s worst run defense.

The Steelers’ oldest player (he turned 35 last month), Alualu has been a reliable and savvy veteran on their defense since initially signing in 2017. A former No. 10 overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Alualu has served among the Steelers’ top four defensive linemen for going on six seasons. A steady locker-room presence, Alualu slots among a group behind All Pro Cameron Heyward in the Steelers’ d-line rotation. Capable of playing any position on the line, whether Alualu starts every game or serves as one of the top options off the bench, the Steelers know what they are going to get from him. If there’s a question mark, it’s how his body responds after a significant injury and almost a full year off in his mid-30’s.

While Tyson Alualu attended the first of 6 OTAs the #Steelers will conduct this spring, DE Stephon Tuitt was nowhere to be found Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.https://t.co/TRHXLMy4bR

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 25, 2022

DL DANIEL ARCHIBONG

Experience: 2 regular-season games for the Steelers as a rookie in 2021

Contract status: $705,000 cap hit in 2022, after which will be an exclusive rights free agent

2022 outlook: Undrafted out of Temple, the 6-foot-6, 300-pound Archibong spent the summer and training camp with the Chicago Bears but upon being cut just before the season started latched on with the Steelers and hasn’t left the organization since. Though he spent most of the season on the practice squad, a spate of injuries along the defensive line compelled the Steelers to activate Archibong for a pair of November games. He played 13 defensive snaps and 12 on special teams, accumulating two assisted tackles.

The Steelers view Archibong as a potential rotational piece on an NFL defensive line, but even though they need an immediate upgrade at the position there is a logjam of talent that could make it difficult for Archibong to stand out. Heyward, Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams and rookie third-round pick DeMarvin Leal would all seem to have roster spots locked up. Carlos Davis and Henry Mondeaux also have experience with the Steelers. That means an injury might be the only chance Archibong’s ceiling isn’t the practice squad.

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