The Steelers could look to the defensive side of the ball early in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here are five players who could be on Pittsburgh’s radar.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert was recently asked to share his thoughts on the 2020 NFL Draft class, and his remarks caught me off guard bit. Instead of making mention of the deep wide receiver class or other big areas of need, Colbert mentioned defense – specifically the outside linebacker position.
It remains to be seen what is going to happen with Bud Dupree this offseason. While the franchise tag is always an option, Pittsburgh could be looking for Dupree’s replacement sooner rather than later.
At the same time, Javon Hargrave – having signed with NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus – is set to rake in a big payday with a different franchise this offseason, and the Steelers will need to find a way to replace his services.
The defensive linemen and linebackers recently weighed in at the 2020 NFL Combine. Based on Pittsburgh’s drafting trends, here are five players they could be interested in this April:
OLB, Terrell Lewis
Terrell Lewis is a guy with a length and concerning injury history, but there are a lot of reasons why the Steelers will like him. Like T.J. Watt, Lewis is long (6’5 1/4”, 262 pounds, 33 7/8” arms) and athletic, but with just one year of solid production as a starter. Pittsburgh wasn’t scared away by Watt’s multiple knee injuries, so it’s well within reason that they could roll the dice on a talent like Lewis.
DE Raekwon Davis
Raekwon Davis is a guy that has been projected to land all over the place. While his strength and length scream first-round prospect, his production (8.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons) leaves a lot to be desired. Davis, however, measured in at over 6’6” and 311 pounds with nearly 34” arms and an 85 1/4” wingspan. Built just like Stephon Tuitt coming out of Notre Dame, Davis has the length and size to play multiple positions along the defensive line.
ILB Malik Harrison
Here’s a player that not many people are linking to the Steelers, but I think he would be a good fit. Malik Harrison is in the mold of Vince Williams. He has excellent size at 6-2 5/8” and 247 pounds. Though he isn’t ideal in man coverage, Harrison can drop into zone. However, he’s best tracking down the ball carrier and blitzing from the middle. He could make an excellent Buck linebacker and eventual replacement for Williams.
DT Leki Fotu
The Steelers are missing a true nose tackle on their defense, but Leki Fotu is a guy who could help them out. At 6-5 3/8” and 330 pounds with 34 2/8” arms, Fotu has excellent size and bulk as well as the versatility to play in odd or even fronts. Though he’s nowhere near the pass rusher Javon Hargrave is, he’s got some power and surprising short-area quickness to his game. He could help fill the void on the defensive line.
OLB Akeem Davis-Gaither
On paper, Akeem Davis-Gaither doesn’t really fit the bill of what the Steelers are looking for. They already have two smaller, faster linebackers in Devin Bush and Ulysees Gilbert. Davis Gaither is in the same mold (6’1 1/2”, 224 pounds), but he’s an incredibly instinctive football player who flows well to the ball. Mark Barron could be cut for financial reasons this offseason, and Davis-Gaither could be an excellent candidate to fill that role after he gets his feet wet.
It’s still too early to tell if the Steelers truly have invested interest in any of these defensive prospects, but with uncertainty around Dupree and the impending departure of Hargrave, Pittsburgh will be open to the defensive side of the ball early in April’s draft.