If there was one place primed for the Pittsburgh Steelers to double dip within the 2025 NFL Draft, it was the defensive position. Not solely was it one of many Steelers’ greatest wants getting into the draft, however it’s additionally one of many deepest place teams on this yr’s class. They addressed it straight away within the first spherical with Derrick Harmon after which within the fifth spherical with Yahya Black.
Line of defense coach Karl Dunbar has a variety of new clay to assist mildew right into a dominant unit, however the room is out of the blue crowded and there are solely so many roster spots to go round.
“It’s about competitors and that’s why we’re sitting on this room,” Dunbar mentioned Saturday through video on the Steelers X web page. “It’s competitors, so if you wish to eat, go take your meals. That’s what it’s all about.”
DC Teryl Austin mentioned one thing related in regards to the exterior linebacker room earlier right this moment after Jack Sawyer was drafted. The expertise rises to the highest and kinds itself out. It’s by no means a nasty factor so as to add competitors to essential positions. And as we noticed towards the top of the 2024 season, the defensive position wasn’t reducing it.
The 2024 preliminary 53-man roster carried six defensive ends and two nostril tackles for a complete of eight. The yr earlier than that the Steelers carried seven complete with one much less defensive finish.
Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, and Daniel Ekuale are the gamers I’d contemplate locks to make the preliminary 53-man roster. Montravius Adams is on that subsequent tier the place I’d say he’s more likely to make it. That leaves two or three bones and a complete lot of canines to combat over them.
Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Jacob Slade, Domenique Davis, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, and Esezi Otomewo spherical out the defensive linemen on the roster proper now. That’s eight canines vying for 2 or three bones. The Steelers are going to place all of that expertise within the strain cooker and the very best candidates will emerge on the opposite facet.
The defensive position will likely be youthful and higher for it.
