The Pittsburgh Steelers had the financial wherewithal to invest high draft picks on front-seven defensive players who might not have to start out of the gate but could develop into long-term defensive mainstays. This was possible when the team was genuinely exceptional at creating teams.
especially when playing defense.
Alex Highsmith, Brett Keisel, Stephon Tuitt, and Cameron Heyward all spring to mind.
Not to mention players like Casey Hampton and Javon Hargrave who were picked highly and got off to an early start.
The Steelers haven’t had the luxury of being able to invest a lot of money in developing their defensive line’s future because of all the holes they’ve had to address in recent seasons.
Investing a second-round pick in Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton in the previous season was somewhat of a throwback to that strategy. It appears that decision will be well worth making.
In the last year of his contract, Heyward, 34, is attempting to recover from an injury-plagued 2023. Trying to get as much as possible out of eight-year veteran Larry Ogunjobi at $10.5 million above the salary cap is the team’s goal. Overachieving Montravius Adams, who was selected from New Orleans’ practice squad in 2021, is still being used by the team as a de facto starting nose tackle.
Then there are a number of past draft picks and free agents from other clubs who haven’t quite lived up to expectations, such Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal.
Therefore, the Steelers would be justified in selecting a defensive lineman with their Day 2 choice, even though there isn’t a clear starting position that needs to be filled.
If they are successful in trading back and know they can address positions like wide receiver, offensive line, and cornerback before Saturday, they might even get a first-round pick.
We examined a few defensive line candidates that the Steelers might find attractive throughout the first few rounds of the selection in this Friday’s NFL selection preview podcast, which was hosted by Matt Williamson of Steelers Radio Network.
Braden Fiske of Florida State was one guy who caused a stir when he was invited in for a pre-draft interview. According to the ESPN.com board, he is the third-ranked defensive tackle.
Fiske is a player that Williamson adores, but he doesn’t think he fits in Pittsburgh.
That one doesn’t seem to add up to me. Williamson remarked, “He’s a peculiar guy.” “Fiske is a very enjoyable player. He’s an amazing tester. On the field, that is evident. He is among the most dynamic defensive linemen I have ever saw. He plays with an incredible demeanor. However, he is just another sixth-year student. When camp ends, he will already be (almost) 25 years old. His arms are incredibly short. Sometimes double squads surround him. Additionally, he is far more of an up-field penetrator and win-off-the-snap player than they have usually targeted. That was the visit that had me scratching my head the most out of all of them.
Williamson believes that the following defensive linemen will fit the Steelers’ scheme better than others.
• Kris Jenkins Jr. (Michigan, 6-foot-3/299
This man is an incredible athlete. To be honest with you, he reminds me a lot of Benton. That would be his role in this situation. I refer to the second round,” Williamson uttered.
• Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson, 6-foot-4/290 pounds): “It would be similar to Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt if you take him in the second round. “Ruke, follow Cam Heyward’s lead in everything.” Tie your shoes when he ties his. Consume a salad if he does. Simply follow him around to pick up tips from Cam Heyward. There’s enough of material there, according to Williamson.
• Maason Smith (LSU, 6-foot-6/315 pounds): “This individual was an incredible hire,” Williamson remarked. “As a true freshman, he arrived at LSU and was amazing. Since then, he has sustained two different injuries: an ACL tear during his sophomore year and a leg injury at the conclusion of his freshman year. Thus, he has always been known across the country. However, since then, he has changed drastically. Nevertheless, it appeared as though he was returning in his final two or three games at LSU, and his combine was strong. Thus, in the third round, when he was considered a top-10 choice as a freshman, you might be able to purchase him for eighty cents on the dollar.
All of those ideas seem good to me. However, before the Steelers attack the defensive line, I’d rather see them handle wide receiver, defensive back, and center or tackle.
Unless, of course, they make a trade prior to the draft for a wide receiver or center of excellence.
In addition, Williamson discusses his displeasure with this year’s inside linebacker class, offers some late-round edge rusher recommendations in case Markus Golden is unable to return, and delves into the development of the Steelers defensive line composition in our defensive front-seven podcast.
