Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh puts the focus back on the trenches

Steelers mock draft round 7 (via Jets): Jack Sanborn

Linebacker, Wisconsin, 6’2”, 232 lbs.

This is more reinforcement for the run defense. Wisconsin has become known as ‘O-line U’ and ‘Running Back U’. Lately, they’re getting the tag ‘Linebacker U’. My guess is the Steelers are not ready to give up on Devin Bush.

They will need to team him with someone who will bring stability to the middle of the defense and allow Bush to ‘get creative’. Jack Sanborn is a prototypical MACK and he might be able to fill that role. Everybody thinks current starter, Joe Schobert, is going to be a cap casualty. With his mediocre play and seeing as it would free up $7,834,000 in cap space, that’s tough to argue against.

Sanborn is being overlooked due to his fellow ILB, Leo Chenal, getting all press. But Chenal’s splash plays at WILL were made possible by Sanborn’s policing of the middle of the field. Sanborn has very good diagnostic skills and a high football I.Q. He was great against the run and can also bring an interior pass rush.

He wasn’t used in man coverage much but he was dropped back in zone coverage, a lot, and did well there. In 2021, Sanborn had 89 tackles with 16.0 for a loss and 5.0 sacks. He had 4 interceptions and 4 pass deflections on his career. His PFF grade was 88.8 overall. He also played on special teams in punt coverage and the field goal blocking unit.

Sanborn should see action as a reserve LB and special teams player in his rookie year and has starter potential down the line. Steelers made a good choice with a Wisconsin outside linebacker named T.J. Watt, why not add another Badger for the inside?