Steelers Mock Draft: Pittsburgh takes unusual route with new compensatory pick

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: Amik Robertson #21 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs breaks up a pass to Bryan Edwards #89 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: Amik Robertson #21 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs breaks up a pass to Bryan Edwards #89 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers in the second quarter of their game at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers in the second quarter of their game at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

4th round (pick 124): Anfernee Jennings

Edge defender, Alabama

Even if the Steelers retain Bud Dupree for the 2020 season, his future beyond that point is in doubt. At the very least, the Steelers could use some added competition at edge defender.

Anfernee Jennings doesn’t have any special traits and doesn’t offer immense upside as a fifth-year senior. However, he does check quite a few boxes of what Pittsburgh typically looks for. Jennings has been both durable and productive at Alabama. As a senior, he impressed with 83 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 8.0 sacks, and an interception.

Jennings, however, doesn’t have ideal size metrics as a full-time edge defender (6’2”, 256 pounds, 32 7/8” arms). He also chose not to do any physical testing at the Combine, and there are concerns that he is just an average athlete at best.

For Pittsburgh, Jennings would compete with Anthony Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi for a spot in the rotation at outside linebacker. If Chickillo is cut, it obviously increases his chances of seeing the field as a rookie.

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