Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh finally opts to attack the trenches

Steelers mock draft round 2: DE Gervon Dexter

The Steelers return to the trenches with their other second-round pick. While many fans are clamoring for a nose tackle, it is hard to justify one here based on the talent that’s left. A name I have had my eye on for the Steelers for a while is Gervon Dexter out of Florida though, as he fits the physical mold of what the team looks for in defensive ends.

It is rare to find a traditional end that the Steelers like in drafts anymore, but Dexter is the prototype. 6’6, 313 lbs makes him a perfect fit to play along this line. Beyond just his size, Dexter is a good athlete and a strong run defender. He plays with a lot of power and is a constant disrupter on defense.

While he has all of the tools to be a dominant pass rusher, he has yet to really put that aspect of his game together. He has just 4.5 sacks in college. It seems like he lacks a defined plan when rushing the quarterback. Given his age though, Dexter has plenty of time to grow into that role.

The defensive line in Pittsburgh is set for a transition this season, and Dexter would be a long-term solution if he can put everything together. He would be a natural end in base defense and could work his way into the interior for passing downs. He needs a lot of work, but if the team gets the most out of him, he should be a capable starter down the road.