Steelers Mock Draft: A balanced approach patches major roster holes in 2024

Steelers mock draft Round 3: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't going to want to find themselves in a position again where they are forced to sign a guy like Myles Jack out of retirement and resort to playing scrubs like Mykal Walker and Mark Robinson. While these players did about as well as we could have expected, considering the circumstances, the Steelers need help at linebacker.

Cole Holcomb will be returning from a torn ACL, but it's possible that Kwon Alexander has played his last meaningful NFL football after rupturing his Achilles in the middle of the season. Additionally, Alexander was only on a one-deal and has no obligation to return to Pittsburgh next season.

Holcomb looks like he could be a quality option for a few years, while Elandon Roberts has his niche coming downhill. Still, Pittsburgh could use another linebacker who could be part of their rotation. Tommy Eichenberg came back down to earth after a phenomenal 2022 season that included 120 tackles and 12.0 tackles for a loss.

Despite his regression during his senior campaign, his experience could make him a player who is able to carve out a role in the linebacker rotation early. It doesn't hurt that he's coming from a respectable Ohio State football program (and one that the Steelers are very familiar with). Eichenberg could slide right in as the team's third linebacker in 2024 with a chance to eventually move into the starting lineup.