The 25 most likely Steelers defensive targets in 2022 draft

Steelers defensive prospect #16

A name that a lot of people have clamored for at inside linebacker, Christian Harris certainly looks the part of a modern defender. While a little bit smaller as a prospect, he has elite athleticism and sideline to sideline speed to boot. He also comes from a notable linebacker program, as Alabama is one of the better producers of NFL defenders.

While his speed is his best trait, he also is an above-average coverage linebacker. His speed allows him to match up well with athletic offensive weapons and as a result, hang with them in coverage. He is also a sound tackler as well as a blitzer. He knows how to use his athleticism to shoot through gaps and chase runners down.

The issue with him is his instincts when reading an offense. He is very much a reactive defender and not a preemptive one. Devin Bush has the same issue right now, as he is trying to catch up to a play as opposed to predicting it. This results in being out of position and being forced to try and get back into position. Because of this, and the fact that the Steelers already have two linebackers like this on the roster, Harris can’t be ranked that high despite some pre-draft interest.