Ahead of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast with Benz” spends its week publishing daily previews and podcasts from the Pittsburgh Steelers. We divide the needs of the franchise into five different sections.
Every day, former college and NFL researcher Matt Williamson (a contributor to the Steelers / Peacock and Williamson NFL Show) joins me to analyze potential talent in a particular group of positions.
We will also discuss the potential targets of the Steelers, organizational needs and the draft strategy.
In Thursday’s post, we look at the defensive side seven.
I’m not going to lie. I thought this post would be much more interesting a week ago.
Once Devin Bush injured his knee, Vince Williams released him, Robert Spillane started as a rookie and then had a minimum depth.
Now, with the return of Williams, I am less inclined to consider this perspective.
Not only would there have been an obvious need in that position, but there are a lot of good players who fit the “off-the-ball” mold. And in Thursday’s podcast, Williamson claims a point we’ve made several times this season about inside defenders.
Everyone should try to find a pair of inside defenders like Lavonte David and Devin White of Tampa Bay. It can’t be a star like Ryan Shazier or Devin Bush and … just another guy. He can’t be an athlete with three downs and a plugger. Everyone should try to find a bottom line tandem as if they were trying to find two good defenders.
“It’s easier said than done. I saw life (in Pittsburgh) when you had nothing, “said Williamson. “But if you have two, it’s a luxury that some teams have. I often think of (Patrick) Willis and (NaVorro) Bowman in San Francisco. The Tampa Bay reference is excellent.
“There’s a lot of speed and athletics at the second tier of this draft that would look pretty good with Bush.”
Micah Parsons of Penn State tops the list in this position. He will disappear long before the Steelers pick number 24. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Notre Dame probably won’t last long.
But many more could be available, such as Ohio State products Baron Browning and Pete Werner, Zaven Collins (Tulsa), Jamin Davis (Kentucky) and Jabril Cox (LSU).
Collins is particularly interesting at 6 feet-4, 260 pounds. He seems able to move well enough to that size to play inside in a 3-4, but he could also rush off the edge if asked.
“A lot, it’s better not to go,” Williamson said. “Throwing her hips and running with these tight, big and tall heads. It kind of reminds me of Anthony Barr or Jamie Collins. Really athletic special skills, rare for someone so tall. Super interesting guy. You can really do many things with him. ”
But if the Steelers feel comfortable enough with the depth in that position (I wouldn’t do that), they might consider strengthening the outside backbacker position group. After all, both Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi went to the Tennessee Titans as a free agency.
So even though head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert are ready to anoint Alex Highsmith as a full-time replacement in front of TJ Watt (I wouldn’t want to yet), some extra numbers at this position might be helpful. .
Gregory Rousseau of Miami is a player often mocked by the Steelers. But Williamson isn’t sold out for mixing with the Steelers.
“Rousseau is someone I would frown on,” Williamson said. “I think he’s more of a guy with his hand on the ground. It’s not very annoying. “
Other feasible options in the position that Williamson believes could be a better fit include another former hurricane, Jaelan Phillips.
Many who research the project see Penn State’s Jayson Oweh as an elite prospect. He had a weird pro day, but he didn’t have a bag last year.
“It’s a defensive end that ran a 4.37 (40-yard dash). That’s not happening, “said Williamson. “He did not have bags last year, but it was disturbing. It’s not like he didn’t appear on the tape and has had some bag production in the past.
“The upper part is through the roof. His features scream in the first round. ”
In Thursday’s podcast, which describes the first seven, Williamson and I talk about Pitt’s Patrick Jones. We’re talking about why Tyson Alualu’s decision to return to Pittsburgh was so important this year. And Matt tells me why Nick Bolton of Missouri isn’t as great as an inside defender for the Steelers like me.
Listen: Tim Benz and Matt Williamson look at the defensive side of seven NFL Draft players who could help the Steelers
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be retweeted. All emails are subject to publication, unless otherwise specified.