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Steelers 2022 NFL Draft preview: Top-3 defensive linemen

By Ryan Pawloski

Feb 2, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Cole Strange of Tennessee-Chattanooga (69) spars with National defensive lineman Travis Jones of Connecticut (57) during National practice for the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, USA.Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Cole Strange of Tennessee-Chattanooga (69) spars with National defensive lineman Travis Jones of Connecticut (57) during National practice for the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, USA.Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phidarian Mathis #48 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is pumped after a big play. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

The Steelers have a massive need to bring in some impactful depth through the 2022 NFL draft, especially if Stephon Tuitt departs the team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers might need defensive linemen with some expected losses this offseason. Stephon Tuitt’s future is still in question with the potential of him being a cap casualty or impending retirement on the horizon. His mental health is the most important in this situation but the team will need to know if they will have him back next season or not.

Chris Wormley had a breakout season and Tyson Alualu will be back from his season-ending injury, plus Isaiah Loudermilk should progress further into year two. Those are some solid options but they will need to bring some more youth into the fold. Specifically, someone that could help stuff the run. This defense struggled to stop the run so a nose tackle could be an option in the later rounds of the draft.

This group of defensive line prospects in 2022 is talented and deep. The trenches are regarded as being the two strengths of this class on both sides of the ball. Some big disrupters are coming out that will play in the defensive line.

Honorable mentions

Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama

Phidarian Mathis will be a great selection for a team on day two of the draft. He has all the intangibles that every team will be looking for in a defensive tackle. He has some great pass rush abilities that will transfer over to the professional level nicely.

He comes from a successful program in Alabama and that could’ve jumped his stats some but the conference he played in will also show scouts his pro-ready style. His vocalization and personality will give off his true character in a person and some team will fall in love with him during the pre-draft process.

Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut

Travis Jones is coming off one of the best weeks at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile. He was one of the most dominant players all week long and capped it off nicely in the game. He was able to shock the world of evaluators and push his stock up to a higher point. He is a big man with sneaky athletic ability that allows him to do more than just stop the run.

This Connecticut product will likely go at some point on day two. Many see him as a true nose tackle that can play in other instances. This would be an amazing selection for the Steelers as they need a big man in the middle to command a stoppage to the rushing attack that they will face every week.

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