Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh still desires QB after Pro Day visits

Steelers mock draft round 4 (comp.): DT John Ridgeway

It was abundantly clear in 2021 that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed more muscle up front on their defensive line. Without Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu anchoring in the middle, Pittsburgh’s defensive tackles were bulldozed and their linebackers were washed out of the play — resulting in the league’s worst run defense in terms of both total yards allowed and yards per carry surrendered.

Enter Arkansas DT John Ridgeway. Though his college production is nothing to write home about, Ridgeway can help get this struggling run defense back on track immediately. At 6’5” and 321 points with an 81 3/8” wingspan, Ridgeway eats up space in the middle of the defensive line and he can’t be easily moved off the line of scrimmage.

Even if Stephon Tuitt returns this year, Pittsburgh could use more depth in this department. Also, Tyson Alualu turns 35 years old in May and there’s no guarantee that he looks like the same player after missing 15 games and landing on IR with an ankle injury last season.

Ridgeway isn’t a flashy player, but he might be the piece in the middle who could force opponents to be one-dimensional on offense. He’s a solid value at this point in the NFL Draft.