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5 Edge Rushers the Steelers Must Consider in the 2015 NFL Draft
By Curt Popejoy , Featured Columnist Feb 10, 2015
You don’t have to work in the Pittsburgh Steelers front office to recognize that Pittsburgh needs to address the defense early in the 2015 NFL draft. There are multiple spots on the defensive side of the football Pittsburgh will be choosing from. And the top of that list, written in pen, is a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
Pittsburgh’s situation at outside linebacker is dire. The only returning player with any significant reps is Jarvis Jones. That’s not saying a whole lot as Jones has struggled mightily in his first two seasons. The Steelers running a base 3-4 need hybrid defensive end/linebackers on the roster that can play multiple roles on defense.
So let’s take a closer look at some guys who will be vying for that spot opposite Jones. This list isn’t comprehensive but more of a look at the five most interesting players at the position, and it just so happens all could be great as Steelers. Understand that not all of these players were college linebackers. In fact in many cases, college defensive ends are converted over, and make exceptional 3-4 outside linebackers.
The draw of Kentucky’s Alvin Dupree is his combination of size and athleticism. Dupree checks in at a lean and fit 6’4” and 264 pounds. Dupree has been one of the most productive edge players in the country during his time at Kentucky. Dupree amassed 24 sacks during his college career. Just as important are the 247 tackles Dupree accumulated during that same stretch.
Dupree’s game is predicated on his outstanding length, exceptional anticipation and incredible agility. Dupree shows the most diverse package of pass-rush moves of any edge player in this draft. Trying to scheme Dupree out of a game is nearly impossible because he is able to attack an offensive lineman in multiple ways.
In particular, Dupree’s rip to the inside is devastating because it forces the offensive lineman to shade inside, and that makes his outside rush even more effective.
Dupree’s ability to work with his hand on the ground and be so explosive at 264 pounds makes him a perfect fit for the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs bigger, stronger outside linebackers that can stay on the field more. In 2014, when the Steelers trotted up undersized outside linebackers, teams just ran right at them. Dupree isn’t an ideal run defender but has adequate power and exceptional play recognition.
It might be bit generous to include Florida linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. on this list. By the time the draft actually gets here, Fowler should have cemented his spot among the very top players in this draft. But that’s not to say a team can’t dream?
If you are one to scout the box scores, you might not be super excited about what Fowler brings to the table. However, when you put on the tape you see a player who was seemingly everywhere at the same time.
Fowler’s length is one of his greatest tools. You pair up that length with his ability to drop his shoulder and turn the corner and you understand why his high draft stock is cemented. Fowler's weight has gone up and down over the course of his career; everywhere from 255 pounds to 277 pounds. The down side to this is that Fowler played all over the defensive line in college but never settled long enough to really amass some stats.
From a technical standpoint, Fowler is similar to Dupree in that he can come off the edge and rip inside at the snap. What makes Fowler a better prospect is that he has an excellent bull rush and much better functional strength. Fowler has tremendous range on the field which benefits him greatly if he goes to a 3-4 defense where he’s asked to drop into coverage.
If you haven’t heard of Virginia’s Eli Harold yet, just hold on a minute and you will. Harold is a long, low-body fat athlete with exceptional athleticism. Harold’s strength is in his burst. Harold fires off the line with explosion, and then finds another gear once he’s at the edge to chase down the quarterback.
Harold is similar to these other edge players in that when he wins off the snap he is great, however, at only 250 pounds, he will struggle when offensive linemen get their hands on him. Harold’s ability to disengage is perhaps his greatest flaw. That and the fact that his lower body is narrow and he might not have the frame to carry much more weight.
Nevertheless, you line Harold up on the left where he can use his burst to beat plodding right tackles and he’ll feast. Harold’s ability to change direction quickly and get up to speed in a hurry makes him an excellent candidate as an inside blitzer.
Of all the players on this list, none of them are the boom/bust prospect that Clemson’s Vic Beasley is. Over the course of the past three seasons, Beasley has been one of the most productive pass-rushers in the country. Beasley has 32 sacks during that time and, based on my film study, just as many quarterback hits and hurries.
For as good as the other players are on this list at anticipating the snap count, and exploding off the ball, none can compete with Beasley. In fact, Beasley’s edge rush is so effective, he’s never really had to develop any secondary pass-rush moves. So, why isn’t Beasley a lock to be a top-10 pick?
Part of that centers around size. Beasley is listed at 6’3” and 235 pounds, but at times he appears much lighter. The Steelers can find a spot for an edge-bender like Beasley at 235 pounds. However, with his build, Beasley can’t carry more weight.
Which means if he only weighs in at 225 pounds, teams will be gun shy about committing a top pick on him. However, after watching what guys like the Seattle Seahawks' Bruce Irvin and the Denver Broncos' Von Miller have done, there’s no doubt Beasley can do it as well.
The final name on this list is UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Where many of these players are hybrid types to spend time with their hand on the ground and others standing up. Odighizuwa is much more of a pure defensive end.
This means he wouldn’t fit with what the Steelers want to do, right? Wrong, new defensive coordinator Keith Butler is going to bring more 4-man fronts, in reaction to the amount of nickel NFL offenses require. Historically, when a team used a lot of multiple wide receiver sets it forced the Steelers into less-than favorable sub packages.
However, at a rock solid 270 pounds, Odighizuwa looks carved out of granite. Odighizuwa is powerful at setting the edge. Of all the players on this list, Odighizuwa is the one least likely to give up a play in the run game. What Odighizuwa lacks in pure pass-rush skills, he more than makes up for with violent hands and tremendous power. Even though Odighizuwa won’t win any sprints, and doesn’t have the balance to really turn the corner, his relentless effort more than makes up for it.
Odighizuwa makes this list over a guy like Utah’s Nate Orchard because of all the players on this list, Odighizuwa is not only the best run defender of all of them, he also represents the greatest value. There is nothing lacking in Odighizuwa’s game that cannot be coached up, so while he may not be ready to rush full time as a rookie, it certainly could happen.
[URL]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2359851-5-outside-linebackers-the-steelers-must-consider-in-the-2015-nfl-draft[/URL]
By Curt Popejoy , Featured Columnist Feb 10, 2015
You don’t have to work in the Pittsburgh Steelers front office to recognize that Pittsburgh needs to address the defense early in the 2015 NFL draft. There are multiple spots on the defensive side of the football Pittsburgh will be choosing from. And the top of that list, written in pen, is a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
Pittsburgh’s situation at outside linebacker is dire. The only returning player with any significant reps is Jarvis Jones. That’s not saying a whole lot as Jones has struggled mightily in his first two seasons. The Steelers running a base 3-4 need hybrid defensive end/linebackers on the roster that can play multiple roles on defense.
So let’s take a closer look at some guys who will be vying for that spot opposite Jones. This list isn’t comprehensive but more of a look at the five most interesting players at the position, and it just so happens all could be great as Steelers. Understand that not all of these players were college linebackers. In fact in many cases, college defensive ends are converted over, and make exceptional 3-4 outside linebackers.
The draw of Kentucky’s Alvin Dupree is his combination of size and athleticism. Dupree checks in at a lean and fit 6’4” and 264 pounds. Dupree has been one of the most productive edge players in the country during his time at Kentucky. Dupree amassed 24 sacks during his college career. Just as important are the 247 tackles Dupree accumulated during that same stretch.
Dupree’s game is predicated on his outstanding length, exceptional anticipation and incredible agility. Dupree shows the most diverse package of pass-rush moves of any edge player in this draft. Trying to scheme Dupree out of a game is nearly impossible because he is able to attack an offensive lineman in multiple ways.
In particular, Dupree’s rip to the inside is devastating because it forces the offensive lineman to shade inside, and that makes his outside rush even more effective.
Dupree’s ability to work with his hand on the ground and be so explosive at 264 pounds makes him a perfect fit for the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs bigger, stronger outside linebackers that can stay on the field more. In 2014, when the Steelers trotted up undersized outside linebackers, teams just ran right at them. Dupree isn’t an ideal run defender but has adequate power and exceptional play recognition.
It might be bit generous to include Florida linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. on this list. By the time the draft actually gets here, Fowler should have cemented his spot among the very top players in this draft. But that’s not to say a team can’t dream?
If you are one to scout the box scores, you might not be super excited about what Fowler brings to the table. However, when you put on the tape you see a player who was seemingly everywhere at the same time.
Fowler’s length is one of his greatest tools. You pair up that length with his ability to drop his shoulder and turn the corner and you understand why his high draft stock is cemented. Fowler's weight has gone up and down over the course of his career; everywhere from 255 pounds to 277 pounds. The down side to this is that Fowler played all over the defensive line in college but never settled long enough to really amass some stats.
From a technical standpoint, Fowler is similar to Dupree in that he can come off the edge and rip inside at the snap. What makes Fowler a better prospect is that he has an excellent bull rush and much better functional strength. Fowler has tremendous range on the field which benefits him greatly if he goes to a 3-4 defense where he’s asked to drop into coverage.
If you haven’t heard of Virginia’s Eli Harold yet, just hold on a minute and you will. Harold is a long, low-body fat athlete with exceptional athleticism. Harold’s strength is in his burst. Harold fires off the line with explosion, and then finds another gear once he’s at the edge to chase down the quarterback.
Harold is similar to these other edge players in that when he wins off the snap he is great, however, at only 250 pounds, he will struggle when offensive linemen get their hands on him. Harold’s ability to disengage is perhaps his greatest flaw. That and the fact that his lower body is narrow and he might not have the frame to carry much more weight.
Nevertheless, you line Harold up on the left where he can use his burst to beat plodding right tackles and he’ll feast. Harold’s ability to change direction quickly and get up to speed in a hurry makes him an excellent candidate as an inside blitzer.
Of all the players on this list, none of them are the boom/bust prospect that Clemson’s Vic Beasley is. Over the course of the past three seasons, Beasley has been one of the most productive pass-rushers in the country. Beasley has 32 sacks during that time and, based on my film study, just as many quarterback hits and hurries.
For as good as the other players are on this list at anticipating the snap count, and exploding off the ball, none can compete with Beasley. In fact, Beasley’s edge rush is so effective, he’s never really had to develop any secondary pass-rush moves. So, why isn’t Beasley a lock to be a top-10 pick?
Part of that centers around size. Beasley is listed at 6’3” and 235 pounds, but at times he appears much lighter. The Steelers can find a spot for an edge-bender like Beasley at 235 pounds. However, with his build, Beasley can’t carry more weight.
Which means if he only weighs in at 225 pounds, teams will be gun shy about committing a top pick on him. However, after watching what guys like the Seattle Seahawks' Bruce Irvin and the Denver Broncos' Von Miller have done, there’s no doubt Beasley can do it as well.
The final name on this list is UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Where many of these players are hybrid types to spend time with their hand on the ground and others standing up. Odighizuwa is much more of a pure defensive end.
This means he wouldn’t fit with what the Steelers want to do, right? Wrong, new defensive coordinator Keith Butler is going to bring more 4-man fronts, in reaction to the amount of nickel NFL offenses require. Historically, when a team used a lot of multiple wide receiver sets it forced the Steelers into less-than favorable sub packages.
However, at a rock solid 270 pounds, Odighizuwa looks carved out of granite. Odighizuwa is powerful at setting the edge. Of all the players on this list, Odighizuwa is the one least likely to give up a play in the run game. What Odighizuwa lacks in pure pass-rush skills, he more than makes up for with violent hands and tremendous power. Even though Odighizuwa won’t win any sprints, and doesn’t have the balance to really turn the corner, his relentless effort more than makes up for it.
Odighizuwa makes this list over a guy like Utah’s Nate Orchard because of all the players on this list, Odighizuwa is not only the best run defender of all of them, he also represents the greatest value. There is nothing lacking in Odighizuwa’s game that cannot be coached up, so while he may not be ready to rush full time as a rookie, it certainly could happen.
[URL]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2359851-5-outside-linebackers-the-steelers-must-consider-in-the-2015-nfl-draft[/URL]
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