Ahead of the NFL Draft (April 29 – May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” releases daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts this week. We break down the franchise’s needs into five different sections.
Every day former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steeler’s radio contributor / “Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”) comes to me to analyze the potential talent within a particular job group.
We will also discuss potential Steelers goals, organizational needs and design strategies.
In Thursday’s post, we take a look at defensive front seven.
I’m not gonna lie. I thought this post was going to get a lot more interesting a week ago.
With Devin Bush coming off a knee injury, Vince Williams released, Robert Spillane scheduled as a starter and minimal depth afterward, I wondered if the Steelers would shock a lot of people who would be offensive and take a linebacker inside.
Now that Williams returns, I’m less likely to consider that prospect.
Not only would there have been a clear need for that position, but there are tons of good players out there who fit the “off-the-ball” linebacker mold. And in Thursday’s podcast, Williamson shares a point that I’ve often made this off-season about inside linebackers.
Everyone should try to find some linebackers like Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David and Devin White. It can’t be one star like Ryan Shazier or Devin Bush and … just another man. It cannot be an athlete with three downs and a run plugger. Everyone should try to find an inner linebacker tandem as if trying to find two good corner backs.
It’s easier said than done. We saw life (in Pittsburgh) when you didn’t have one, ”said Williamson. “But when you have two, it’s a luxury few teams have. I often think of (Patrick) Willis and (NaVorro) Bowman in San Francisco. The reference to Tampa Bay is great.
“There’s a lot of second-level speed and athletics on this design that would look pretty good next to Bush.”
Penn State’s Micah Parsons tops the list on the position. He will be gone long before the Steelers pick will be at number 24. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Notre Dame is also unlikely to last.
But many other products, such as Baron Browning and Pete Werner, Zaven Collins (Tulsa), Jamin Davis (Kentucky), and Ohio State’s Jabril Cox (LSU), could be available.
Collins is particularly interesting weighing in at 6 feet-4,260 pounds. He seems to be able to move well enough in that measure to play inside in a 3-4, but can also run off the edge if asked.
“For a long time, he’s better off the ball,” said Williamson. Flip his hips and run with these big, long tight ends. It kind of reminds me of Anthony Barr or Jamie Collins. Truly athletic, rare special skills for someone this tall. Super interesting guy. You can really do a lot with him. “
But if the Steelers are comfortable enough with depth in that position (I wouldn’t), they might consider bolstering the outer linebacker position group. Finally, both Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi left for the Tennessee Titans in free service.
So even if head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert are ready to anoint Alex Highsmith as a full-time replacement to TJ Watt (I wouldn’t do that just yet), some extra numbers on the position could be helpful.
Gregory Rousseau from Miami is often mocked by the Steelers. But Williamson is not completely sold that he would become part of the Steelers plan.
“Rousseau is someone I would disapprove of,” Williamson said. “I think he’s more of a 4-3 hand-in-the-dirt man. Not super nervous. “
Other possible options in the position that Williamson thinks would be a better fit include another ex-hurricane, Jaelan Phillips.
Many exploring design see Penn State’s Jayson Oweh as an elite prospect. He had a bizarre pro day, but didn’t have a bag last year.
He’s a defensive end that ran a 4.37 (40-yard dash). That’s not happening, ”said Williamson. ‘He didn’t have pockets last year, but he was disturbing. It’s not like he’s not appearing on the tape and that he’s had some pocket production in the past.
‘The advantage is through the roof. His traits scream from the first round. “
In Thursday’s podcast outlining the front seven, Williamson and I also talk about Pitt’s Patrick Jones. We talk about why Tyson Alualu’s decision to return to Pittsburgh was so important this year. And Matt tells me why he doesn’t rank as high on Missouri’s Nick Bolton as an inside linebacker match for the Steelers as I do.
Listen: Tim Benz and Matt Williamson Look at Seven Defensive Front Players in the NFL Draft Who Could Help the Steelers
Tim Benz is a writer on the Tribune Review staff. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise specified.