Is the 4-3 back?

[Oviedo]

Mentioned several time related to the signing of Mark Barron

If they are considering this I think we need to expect they take advantage of the incredibly talented defensive line talent in this draft

[steeler_george]

I seen that it was written in a B/R, but I think the author had no idea or made a typo.

I agree I am starting to think that we could go DL or even try to find Dupree's replacement in the first 2 rounds.

I remember at the combine I was all over Burns, and it seems like in the mocks his stock is right about in the 20s. Although the Devins would be smart picks, I think they are out of reach. The same can be said about Hockenson.

[SteelBucks]

If the Steelers sign Houston (and that’s a big if), it would be a big clue that they will remain a base 3-4 defense.

[Oviedo]

If the Steelers sign Houston (and that’s a big if), it would be a big clue that they will remain a base 3-4 defense.

I think the Houston ship has sailed. If it was going to happen it would've. I dont think they have the cap space after signing Barron

[pittpete]

Steelers play a ton of sub packages with multiple DBs and two DL

[steeler_george]

I think the Houston ship has sailed. If it was going to happen it would've. I dont think they have the cap space after signing Barron

There has to be a reason why he hasn't signed yet with anyone.

Why did SF give up a 2nd for Ford and give big contract, when they could of probably signed Houston instead.

[Buzz]

There has to be a reason why he hasn't signed yet with anyone.

Why did SF give up a 2nd for Ford and give big contract, when they could of probably signed Houston instead.

Because Ford is a lot younger and healthier?

[SidSmythe]

The fact they were talking to HOUSTON tells me they're remaining a 3-4 team

The only speculation one could make from the BARRON signing is they found their willing replacement for BURNETT.

[steelerkeylargo]

I think the Steelers are looking for players that allow them to be more multiple. Players that can fit 4-3, 3-4, 4-6, overs, unders, nickels and dimes. Players that allow them to scheme for teams on a weekly basis. Much like the team to the Northeast of PA does.

[Steel Maniac]

I think the Steelers are looking for players that allow them to be more multiple. Players that can fit 4-3, 3-4, 4-6, overs, unders, nickels and dimes. Players that allow them to scheme for teams on a weekly basis. Much like the team to the Northeast of PA does.

But that team has a head coach/DC that knows how to be organized to run all these defenses. While Butler was scheming for Tyler Eifert in the last Bengals game while he'd had been out most of the year.

In other words, It would be best to be more simplified and not run so many schemes because Butler hasn't proven that savvy. Not trying to bash but just stating something we've all found to be true the last couple of years about Butler.

[Iron City Inc.]

We are only in base 25% of the time. So two linemen on the field is more the norm then 3 or 4. I do not see us moving to a base 4 dl front.

[Buzz]

I think the Steelers are looking for players that allow them to be more multiple. Players that can fit 4-3, 3-4, 4-6, overs, unders, nickels and dimes. Players that allow them to scheme for teams on a weekly basis. Much like the team to the Northeast of PA does.

Smart way to go -- give yourself the flexibility to match up with any opponent.

[RuthlessBurgher]

If we are going toward a 4-3 front, I think another round 1 option could be Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence. Dude is huge and would be be the answer for those who miss the days of having Casey Hampton as the anchor in the middle of our defense. He is taller than Big Snack but not quite too tall like McCullers. NFL.com gives him a comp to Hampton's former Longhorn running mate Shaun Rogers.

He's a different style of NT than Javon Hargrave, but in a 4-3 front, they could both be used in tandem (Lawrence as a one-technique NT and Hargrave as a three-technique DT). And Lawrence certainly would also be capable of being zero-technique nose in an odd man front as well.

As a rookie, you could use him in primary a run-stuffing role occupying multiple blockers in base defense, but going forward he could also potentially also push back the pocket on passing downs as well (he looked like he might be a dominant pass rushing force for such a big guy back in his freshman year at Clemson).


For this year, if we wanted a run-stopping 4 man front in base, we could do this:

DL: Cam Hayward - Dexter Lawrence - Javon Hargrave - Stephon Tuitt

LB: T.J. Watt (Sam) - Vince Williams or Jon Bostic (Mike) - Mark Barron (Will)

SS: Terrell Edmunds, FS: Sean Davis, Outside CB: Joe Haden - Steven Nelson


For a nickel, you could take out the big NT (Dexter Lawrence) and the Mike backer (Vince or Bostic) and replace them with pass rushing weak side DE Bud Dupree and slot corner Mike Hilton.

DL: Cam Hayward - Javon Hargrave - Stephon Tuitt - Bud Dupree

LB: T.J. Watt - Mark Barron

SS: Terrell Edmunds, FS: Sean Davis, Outside CB: Joe Haden - Steven Nelson, Nickel Slot Corner: Mike Hilton


For a dime, we could take out Javon Hargrave, move T.J. Watt down to a strong side pass rushing DE with his hand in the dirt, and insert a dime DB (either Artie Burns, Cam Sutton, Marcus Allen, Brian Allen, a rookie DB, or maybe even a late FA signing after we trade or release Morgan Burnett).

DL: T.J. Watt - Cam Heyward - Stephon Tuitt - Bud Dupree

LB: Mark Barron

SS: Terrell Edmunds, FS: Sean Davis, Outside CB: Joe Haden - Steven Nelson, Nickel Slot Corner: Mike Hilton, Dime DB: Burns or Sutton or One of the Allens or a Rookie or FA Signing

[pittpete]

Williams or Bostic would be a total liability at the M.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Williams or Bostic would be a total liability at the M.

While Vince or Bostic in the middle would indeed be the weak link in that particular proposed front seven, I think either guy should be able to handle the basic run stuffing responsibilities between the guards (especially if guys like Dexter Lawrence and Javon Hargrave are in the middle of a 4 man line along with Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt to keep the LBs clean).

Having T.J. Watt at the Sam and Mark Barron at the Will on either side of a Vince or Bostic at the Mike gives you a couple of top notch athletes who can get outside so you wouldn't necessarily need a sideline-to-sideline Mike backer (even though it would be great to have one).

Also, the Mike backer would come off the field in nickel and dime passing formations where Vince or Bostic's pass coverage deficiencies could be a real liability.

If we took a massive DT such as Lawrence in round 1, I would still look for improvement in the draft at ILB with our picks in rounds 2, 3, or 4.