Steelers draft: Defensive prospects for the later rounds

Offseason for the Steelers is beginning to take shape. How should they add depth to the linebacking corps?

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, Bud Dupree, has earned the franchise tag. Offensive guard, Ramon Foster has retired. Outside linebacker, Anthony Chickillo has been released along with inside linebacker, Mark Barron. B.J. Finney is a Seahawk and Tyler Matakevich has signed with the Buffalo Bills. Oh, and yeah, I almost forgot. Javon Hargrave is now an Eagle.

Needs have taken shape and among the most urgent are on the defensive side of the ball at both linebacker positions. The positive for the Steelers is that they have quality starters in place for these roles. The challenge? Depth.

Since I began evaluating draft trends from the past decade, along with the types of athletes the Steelers target, I’ve learned quite a lot not only about the Steelers’ strategy, but about late-round selections they’ve made in recent years.  Because of this, I have great hope that Ulysees Gilbert will become the heir apparent to Barron (and eventually, Vince Williams) at inside linebacker. But it’s no sure thing. The second-year pro will continue to be an unknown commodity until we’ve seen more from him “in-stadium,” as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin likes to say.

So, where does that leave us? The Steelers do not have a first-round pick and must make the most of their later round selections. After evaluating the traits and film of lesser-known defensive prospects who have declared for the 2020 NFL draft, I’ve put together a list of players who would look great in a black and gold uniform.

Because the team’s needs appear to be most glaring at linebacker and on the defensive line, I focused on these positions. I may have also decided it would be best for the Steelers to avoid drafting defensive backs, given their draft history.