Intriguing NFL Draft options that could fix the Steelers weakest positional group
By Dawson King
It has been nearly six years since former Steelers star middle linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a devastating injury that ended his career and left the team with a gaping hole on defense. A hole that they have not been able to fill. Now that the Devin Bush experiment has ended, it is time for the Steelers to once again zero in on a linebacker for the future.
With the linebackers having wrapped up their time at the combine, the Steelers have shown plenty of interest in prospects at the middle linebacker position. This draft class provides options for the Steelers to choose from, likely starting at pick 32.
It is difficult to predict what vacancies the Steelers will choose to fill when free agency kicks off, but I would have to imagine it would serve them well to draft a rookie in addition to signing a safety net veteran to pair with either Myles Jack (if retained) or Robert Spillane.
Trenton Simpson's versatility would be huge for the Steelers
Clemson's Trenton Simpson is one of the more flashy and intriguing linebackers in this year's draft that the Steelers may want to select with the 32nd pick should he fall that far. His combine performance will certainly help his draft stock having ran a 4.43 40-yard dash.
Simpson has sideline-to-sideline speed that would provide the Steelers the ability to cover the field in a way they have not seen from one of their linebackers in years. While he spent much of the 2022 campaign in the box, the Clemson linebacker saw plenty of action in the slot and even as a deep safety throughout his college career.
Trenton Simpson's rare athleticism and pass coverage abilities for a linebacker would pair well with a run-stuffing thumper. If Pittsburgh can pull this one off their front seven could be solidified for years to come.