5 rookies that the Steelers regret passing on in 2020 draft

Tershawn Wharton

While the Steelers had already drafted an edge rusher in Highsmith in the draft, adding another component in Tershawn Wharton as a free agent would have been a plus. It makes sense that the Chiefs were the team to discover him, as he played at local Missouri S&T. Since making the Chiefs final roster, he has slowly carved out a role as a rotational defender, notching a pair of sacks, a forced fumble, and 24 total tackles.

He is almost a perfect size for a Steelers linebacker, as he stands at 6’4, 255lbs despite lining up on the defensive line for the Chiefs. As well, he has proven to be a savvy pass-rushing specialist, as he has logged five pressures despite only playing 41 percent of the defensive snaps. He has a rotational pass rusher written all over him, and he would have been a potential top backup next year after Bud Dupree leaves. A depth chart with both him and current backup Olasunkanmi Adeniyi would make for a strong group next year.

The biggest issue with him as of now is that he has played very little on special teams. Steelers depth linebackers need to excel here, but he has yet to show much in that regard at this point in his career. That said, the UDFA linebacker that most compares to Wharton was James Lockhart, a player that was waived and eventually retired. Developing Wharton as both a defender and special teamer would have been worth it, as he looks like a key rotational player for the future.