With Bud Dupree’s contract remaining a question, recent comments by Steelers GM Kevin Colbert suggest a closer look at some possible future LB prospects.
Every year Indianapolis welcomes a fresh group of faces for a sojourn, beginning the journey in hopes of becoming household names. Like the Steelers themselves, it’s surrounded by GMs, coaches, agents, and nearly any type of scout representative for NFL teams.
As they meet, they are also asked questions regarding the nature of their offseason, possibly new identities going forward, and of course, the talent present at the NFL combine. With Bud Dupree’s contract looming in the air, GM Kevin Colbert made several comments that said they aren’t afraid to use the tag to sign a long-term deal, and that the talent for this OLB class is “unusually strong”.
Hypothetically, if the Steelers were to depart from Dupree, there are some quality options in this draft fans should get accustomed to quick as drills kick off Thursday.
LB Josh Uche
Hey, LB Devin Bush appeared to work out so why not grab the next best Michigan defender entering this draft? Obviously, no logic exists here, but OLB Josh Uche does leave Ann Arbor a menace that should do well in the NFL.
A good frame standing at 6’1, 245 lbs, Uche is everything you could hope for in a replacement for Dupree. An outside linebacker that has the capability to rush off the ball & set the edge, while having the athleticism to drop off downfield fits so perfectly to what this Steelers defense would ask of him.
Sadly, Uche will be unable to perform drills at the combine due to a hamstring injury, but still present to do interviews & physicals, other former opponents are already raving about him.
Jedrick Wills says the best pass rusher he faced in college wasn’t even from the SEC.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 26, 2020
“Josh Uche from Michigan. His hands and some of his counters were tough”
Speed to power, Uche is. Though a natural bend to his game, it’s more as Willis described, “his hands and some of his counters”. His timing with everyone can be so in sync, making him a threat coming off the edge.
Ending his senior year with career-highs in 33 combined tackles, 10.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, & 1 fumble recovery, the mix of EDGE, OLB, & even MLB in some sub-packages allowed his versatility to be effective across the whole front 7. Well, what about 30+ yards down the field?
This is one of the more impressive plays in Josh Uche's film. Dude drops into coverage and carries KJ Hamler all the way down the field. And then causes a pass breakup. Holy moly.pic.twitter.com/4GmqWmqh5m
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 16, 2020
Considering all 3 names that will be listed here, Uche will definitely end with most hype although drills numbers won’t exist until his pro day.