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Pittsburgh Steelers Post-Combine 7-round NFL mock draft

By Tommy Jaggi

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 12: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 02: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines in action on defense during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 2, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. Michigan defeated Maryland 38-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 02: Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines in action on defense during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 2, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. Michigan defeated Maryland 38-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 2: Josh Uche

Outside linebacker, Michigan

Edge rusher is becoming a more realistic possibility for the Steelers with each passing day. Though Bud Dupree is expected to sign the franchise tag this offseason, his future beyond 2020 is very much in Jeopardy.

Pittsburgh already has some questionable depth at the position. After T.J. Watt and Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, Ola Adeniyi, and Tuzar Skipper are the next players in line. Adeniyi and Skipper are both undrafted players with very limited NFL experience, while Chickillo could be a cap casualty this offseason due to the nearly $6.1 million he is slated to make in 2020, according to Over the Cap.

Josh Uche isn’t going to be for everyone. The Michigan pass rusher is just 6’1” and 245 pounds, and many 4-3 teams may not be comfortable with him as a full-time edge defender. For the Steelers, Uche could slide right in as Pittsburgh’s starting right outside linebacker in 2021 once Dupree is gone.

With just 10.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks as a senior in 2019, Uche wasn’t the most productive college player. However, he’s a high-upside pick who has the tools, speed and bend to excel as an edge rusher at the next level.

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