The Steelers have a need at depth at the outside linebacker position.
It’s still hard to imagine that I would have to type something like that over and over again this offseason. One would think after a first round selection at the position two seasons ago and another player who was promising enough to put at least a transition tag on last year the Steelers would be set with starters and have decent depth.
That’s far from the truth of the matter. The promising player suddenly retired and the first round draft pick has yet to impress the likes of Steeler Nation and make us say, “James Harrison who?”
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What is fact is that the Steelers re-signed one of their own back ups (their only significant move on defense) who will now start, and they passed on all available outside linebackers in free agency.
The need has become as great as the cornerback position in some instances.
Especially if you talk to head coach Mike Tomlin, who actually feels good about the cornerback situation.
During the coaches meetings in Arizona earlier this week, Tomlin sat with the press during the AFC Breakfast. This is what he had to say about the linebacker prospects in this year’s class:
"I just think that there are a lot of edge rushers. If you’re in the edge rusher market, whether you define them as defensive ends or outside linebackers, I think that this draft is rich in that area. I’m still gaining an understanding of some of the other positions. But if you ask me what stands out to this point, I’ve seen a lot of capable men in that area."
Based on that, I think it’s safe to say that the Steelers are going to target an edge rusher…. and often.
For those of you who feel strongly that the Steelers select a corner in the first round, don’t get your hopes up. Even with the edge rusher market being as lush and rich as Tomlin believes it to be, that does not mean they will bypass one in the first round.
As Dejan Kovacevic said in his Friday Insider, “Coach wants an edge rusher, Coach will get an edge rusher.” All rounds are fair game.
So who will that EDGE rusher be? I’m starting to like more and more UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and he’s been featured here on Still Curtain in recent weeks.
We won’t know who the Steelers will select, but try not to be in too much of an uproar if the Steelers go with an OLB in the first round and others.
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