Steelers release Keion Adams: Do they have a plan at Edge?
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently released edge rusher, Keion Adams. Adams, along with five others, were released to make room for the team’s new acquisitions following minicamp. Keion Adams was a former draft choice just two years ago, and is the latest in a string of somewhat head-scratching moves (or lack of moves) by the Steelers. This leads me to question: Does Pittsburgh have a plan at Edge?
Keion Adams is no T.J. Watt. As a former 7th round pick, it’s not like the Steelers had a lot invested in him. However, the departure of Adams leaves very little competition (and depth) at the edge defender position in Pittsburgh.
Adams had a strong preseason in 2018. Ola Adeniyi may have stolen the show last August, but Keion Adams was also getting consistent pressure on the quarterback (though failed to collect a sack). Adams’ preseason performance, however, was enough to put him in consideration for one of the finals spots on the 53-man roster.
The Steelers passed up edge rusher with each of their nine draft choices this year (outside of Sutton Smith, who is likely too small to play there in the NFL). Now they have parted ways with the 5th edge player on their roster. Outside of Starters Watt and Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh has two edge defenders: Anthony Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi. Though these are the two that probably would have won out anyway, depth is severely lacking.
If T.J. Watt were to go down for any amount of time this season, what would the Steelers do? Relying too heavily on Bud Dupree will be a mistake. It still shocks me that Kevin Colbert and company didn’t pounce at the opportunity to land a player like Chase Winovich in the 3rd round. Dupree is in the final year of his contract, and the Steelers don’t have much help outside of Watt.
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Let me reiterate that I know Keion Adams was not the answer for the Steelers – he probably would not have even made the final 53-man roster. However, Pittsburgh is razor thin at the edge position, and have done nothing to try to strengthen it this offseason through free agency or the draft. Maybe the Steelers have a plan here, but I can’t see it yet.