The Pittsburgh Steelers have potentially found a suitable replacement for the departed Larry Ogunjobi. According to Blake Baratz, president of Team IFA and representative of veteran defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, Ekuale has agreed to a contract with the Steelers. Ekuale spent the last four seasons with the New England Patriots, prior to which he had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.
While Ekuale may not be a direct replacement for Ogunjobi, he brings a similar veteran presence to the Steelers’ defensive line. This move comes after the Steelers released Ogunjobi on March 10, saving $7 million against the salary cap. In a fortunate turn of events for the Steelers, Ogunjobi was subsequently suspended by the NFL for six games due to a substance abuse policy violation, just days after signing with the Buffalo Bills.
Ekuale had a notable season with the Patriots in 2023, starting all 16 games. The 31-year-old defensive tackle achieved a career-high 52 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss, while also recording three quarterback hits and one sack. Notably, Ekuale demonstrated his versatility by playing multiple positions along the defensive line.
Steelers Set to Add DT Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers’ defensive line is in dire need of rejuvenation, but the signing of 31-year-old Daniel Ekuale doesn’t quite address that concern. However, Ekuale brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the table, similar to what Larry Ogunjobi provided, and likely at a more affordable price.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ekuale demonstrated his adaptability last season by taking 283 snaps at defensive tackle or nose tackle, and 437 snaps at either left or right end. Notably, he lined up more frequently at left end. This aligns with the Steelers’ approach to deploying Ogunjobi, who played 254 snaps at left defensive tackle and 247 snaps at left end.
Interestingly, Ekuale outperformed Ogunjobi last season, earning the highest PFF player grades of his career for the second consecutive year. While the financial details of Ekuale’s contract with the Steelers remain undisclosed, it’s reasonable to assume he’ll be more budget-friendly than Ogunjobi, given his previous contract with the Patriots, which carried a $1.68 million cap hit and a total value of $3.4 million over two years.
Steelers Defensive Line Depth
Cameron Heyward continues to defy Father Time, delivering an outstanding performance in 2024, despite turning 36 years old. However, the Steelers must acknowledge that Heyward’s remarkable career will eventually come to an end, and they need to identify and develop his successor.
Keeanu Benton has shown promise in his two seasons with the Steelers, but the team requires more depth and talent along the defensive line. The addition of Daniel Ekuale, a veteran defensive lineman from the Patriots, doesn’t alter this reality. Ekuale joins a defensive line corps that includes Heyward, Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, Logan Lee, Domenique Davis, and Jacob Slade.
While many mock drafts don’t have the Steelers selecting a defensive lineman in the first round, it wouldn’t be surprising if they target the position group early in the draft. If they do, it will likely be in the first or third round, as the team traded its second-round pick to acquire wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
