5 Steelers who dodged a bullet with Pittsburgh’s draft results
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers EDGE Derrek Tuszka
I’m intrigued by what I saw in Derrek Tuszka late in the 2021 season. I thought he had some really nice rushes in which he showed off his impressive athletic traits to get after the quarterback down the stretch.
However, I’m not about to go talking him up like he’s the next great signing for Pittsburgh. After all, there’s obviously a reason Tuska couldn’t stick with the Denver Broncos. That also doesn’t mean that Tuszka isn’t deserving of a roster spot; however, his chances certainty would have decreased if the Steelers had selected an edge defender this year.
Taking one early would have been a massive blow to Tuszka’s career. Even taking an edge defender in the later rounds could have potentially forced Tuszka into a smaller role on defense.
As it stands, however, Derrek Tuszka holds an advantage to being the first edge defender off the bench in the rotation for Pittsburgh this year behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Tuszka has to be relieved with the results of the NFL Draft.