5 players in the championship game the Steelers could draft

Steelers should target Dean

Given the investment that the team has made at inside linebacker, one would have hoped that this position wouldn’t be a need in 2022. While Joe Schobert has been fine, Devin Bush has been a liability on defense. If the Steelers look to draft a linebacker early in the draft, Nakobe Dean would make a lot of sense.

Dean won the Butkus Award this season as the best collegiate linebacker in 2021, and he has shown why in every game. While not the biggest defender, Dean excels with his aggressiveness and speed from the linebacker spot. He flies around the Bulldogs’ defense and makes plays all over the field. He is even an effective blitzer, as he posted six sacks for Georgia this past year.

His main issue as a defender is his size. He could really use about five to ten pounds more on his frame, so he isn’t pushed out of the play when blocked by a lineman. As well, he needs the additional strength to be able to shed blocks better. That said, Dean has the makings of a great linebacker at the next level. If the Steelers are ready to move on from Bush or Schobert, Dean would be a logical selection in the first round of the draft.