The Steelers have to figure out their depth behind their starters at the outside linebacker position and they can find a good one in this draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into this draft of 2022 with their starting spots secured for the upcoming season. T.J. Watt is the reigning defensive player of the year after tying the NFL record for most sacks in a single season. Alex Highsmith showed that he can handle being a full-time starter in this league on the opposite side of Watt.
The team had some depth players flash during the late portions of the season but this club might have to address the depth still. Those that come in on downs when Watt or Highsmith need a break are going to be important for this team. They can look into the open market or at these edge rushers as it is one of the strengths of this class.
Honorable mentions
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Jermaine Johnson is a player that has not gotten a lot of attention during the draft process thus far. He would be a good second or third-round option for any team looking for an edge rusher. He is the perfect size that the Steelers look for with their pass rushers.
He has the frame and looks of a Pittsburgh linebacker but he also has the stats. He shot onto the scene this year with totaling 12 sacks, He showed promise this season after transferring from Georgia.
David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
David Ojabo is a player that will go later in the first round but could become the best edge rusher in this class. He has a very high ceiling and will be someone the Steelers will struggle to pass over if he is still there at pick 20. The team wouldn’t likely pick him but his talent and potential would certainly bring a discussion in the draft room.
He played opposite of Aidan Hutchinson at Michigan and both will hear their names called on night one of the big event. Whoever selects this player will get an immediate impact player and someone with tremendous potential and growth moving forward.
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
George Karlaftis is a player that will be a first-round pick and many will like the way he plays. He doesn’t fit what type of prospect the Steelers look for in their edge rushers but he is a solid player entering the draft. He had a solid collegiate career and will be someone that can grow into something even better.
The name of the game for this edge player is power. He can cause chaos at the point of attack with his ability to use his powerful punch against opposing offensive linemen. He has some issues with relying more on his power than other moves that maybe some teams will search for.
That does not mean that he can’t bend past defenders to get to the quarterback, but he prefers power moves. That could hurt him some at the beginning of his career with the tackles at the next level being bigger and stronger. He has some development left in him but that comes when you draft a player, even if they are as ready for the next level as Karlaftis is.
This player could’ve been the top prospect at his position in another draft class but that is just a testament to the quality of players on the edge. He will probably go at some point within the top 15 or 20 picks and the team that selects him will be getting a great player.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux was marked down as the “next big thing” when he was being recruited out of high school. He was one of the most sought-after recruits heading into college with his crazy athletic ability matched with his size and power. He eventually chose Oregon over other powerhouse programs and that paid off for him.
This prospect was expected to be a top pick heading into the 2021 college football season and he held his elite status. He started as a true freshman and has shown promise to every scout that has watched his tape. His ceiling is very high and can be an immediate impact player for whichever club drafts him.
The Steelers will have no chance of getting close to selecting this player. Thibodeaux will be taken in the top five picks of the 2022 draft. He has too much talent and potential for these struggling teams to choose someone else.
This player will be a cornerstone piece for a rebuilding team’s defense for years to come. His stat line has never eclipsed 10 sacks in one season but he has gotten close on many occasions. He could still be the first defender taken if he tests out of this world, which many NFL clubs are expecting.
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson broke onto the scene in 2021 with a vengeance. He played opposite of other first-round hopeful, David Ojabo. They created a destructive duo during their big season at Michigan. Hutchinson is one of the biggest risers of this class after not many people knew about this player.
He could have had a breakout performance a season prior but he suffered a season-ending injury. That led to him coming back to college for another season to jump his draft stock again. He returned and was a big part of this Michigan team that launched into the college football playoffs.
Many are expecting him to be in the first overall pick conversation when the card is turned into the league. Hutchinson has all the talent in the world with a non-stop motor. He is going to be a great disrupter on defense for whichever team selects him.
The Steelers will have no shot at this player as many expect him to go in the top five picks for his worst-case scenario. The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the first overall pick for this draft but they might look to go for an offensive lineman. This player is the best overall prospect on many big boards as the draft process moves forward.
The Steelers have a ton of holes to fill on this team and depth at the edge position is an important fix to find. Some depth pieces showed some promise at the end of 2021 but the team will have to look in the draft.