Welcome to our Steelers Draft Profiles. What we’ve done is create lists of top prospects with our take on their abilities based on what we’ve seen of them. Once published, we will continue to update these very articles on a regular basis as new information comes in about the players. In today’s article, we feature the EDGE Rushers.
Will Anderson, Jr. – JR. – Alabama – 6’4″ 245lbs
The consensus number one overall player is the type who could help change a franchise’s fortunes almost immediately… With over 34 sacks and 60 plus tackles for loss, Anderson is a game-changer… Aggressive in both the run and pass… Able to keep contain on wide plays and often stymies lead blockers when setting the edge… Owns a variety of pass rush moves but can actually improve in this area… Could be a better run defender than he is a pass rusher… Great teammate and high character guy… While he was used in numerous ways at Alabama, he seems to lock in mostly on the EDGE at the pro level.
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.6
10-yard Split: 1.61
Nolan Smith – SR. – Georgia – 6’3″ 235lbs
Played in just eight games in 2022 after suffering a pectoral injury… Very violent and physical player… Really explosive first step… High energy guy who just doesn’t stop… Sound versus run and pass… Looks much more comfortable in coverage than you might think… More than adequate ‘bend’ around the edge… Will need to work on his hand usage… Could stand to add to his pass rush moves.
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.39
10-yard Split: 1.52
Myles Murphy – JR. – Clemson – 6’4″ 275lbs
Heavier and more stout than some of his peers in this Draft but his explosiveness does not suffer for it… Really good first step… Violent, heavy hands… A delight to watch on twists and stunts/Crashes through with authority and speed… Likely headed for a role as a 4-3 end but has position flexibility in my book… Short area demolition expert… Needs to finish plays/Leaves a bit to be desired as the play winds down on occasion… High character individual… Has capability of dropping into coverage but I wouldn’t do it often…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench (225lbs): 25 reps
Notes: Tomlin attended Pro Day. Had dinner with Tomlin afterwards.
Tyree Wilson – SR.- Texas Tech – 6’6″ 275lbs
Spent two season at Texas A&M before transferring to Lubbock… Showed significant ability to play both on the EDGE and on the interior… Frequently wins with pure power… Good get-off surprises blockers and are quickly overwhelmed as he transfers from speed to power… Has the speed to hustle guys down from behind… His ‘bend’ is average in my book… Does have some pass rush moves he can call upon at times… Sheds blockers well and positions himself for tackles in an instant… His overall speed as an EDGE rusher will likely determine how he is used.
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench (225lbs): 23 reps
Lukas Van Ness – SO. – Iowa – 6’5″ 265lbs
Never actually started a game for the Hawkeyes… Early playing time was on the interior line before moving out to the EDGE… Long and strong… Has better explosion that you first anticipate… Powerful pass rusher who will need to add moves to his skill set… Former hockey player who has tremendous balance… Classic ‘high-motor’ pass rusher… May have the highest ceiling of all of the pass rushers… Inexperience may be a concern…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.58
10-yard Split: 1.64
3-Cone Drill: 7.42
Notes: Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan attended Iowa Pro Day.
BJ Ojulari – JR. – LSU – 6’3″ 245lbs
Team captain and well-respected young man… Has been used in numerous ways on the defensive front at LSU mostly due to coaching changes… Seems to excel best in a stand-up position on the edge… Very athletic pass rusher who has better ‘bend’ then some of the other prospects rated higher… Big-time hustler who doesn’t quit on plays and excels chasing down plays from behind… Ability to set the edge consistently needs improvement… Will need to bulk up without losing his speed and athleticism… Doesn’t have the desired length…
Key Combine Stats:
Broad: 10’6″
Vertical: 32.5′
Keion White – SR. – Georgia Tech – 6’4″ 265lbs
Spent his first three seasons at Old Dominion where he started as a tight end… Team Captain in his senior campaign… Absolutely looks the part of a dominant NFL player… Way above average athleticism… High motor who runs way faster than a person his size should… Heavy hands that deliver blows to blockers… Could use more experience at the position due to late switch… Has plenty of edge-setting ability but gives up his outside a bit too much… Really high ceiling will entice someone to draft him early…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash:
Bench (225lbs): 30 reps
Broad Jump: 9’9″
Isaiah Foskey – SR. – Notre Dame – 6’5″ 265lbs
All-time leader in sacks for the Irish… Tremendous athlete… Really good explosion even from a stand-up position… Excelled from day one in South Bend as a Special Teams’ player and will add that to wherever he goes in the NFL…. High character individual… Isn’t afraid of physicality but seems to rely on his speed a bit much… His tape against top tackle prospects is ‘must-watch’ because he’s largely neutralized… Has to become better against the run…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.58
10-yard Split: 1.66
Bench (225lbs): 22 reps
Tuli Tuipulota – JR. – USC – 6’4″ 290lbs
Football family as brother plays DL for the Eagles and cousins play for the Colts and Niners… Powerful hands that trouble blockers off the snap… Surprising agility for a man his size… This guy brings the hammer on every tackle/Very violent player… Not very long which makes me think he’s better suited for inside or a ‘down end’ at the very least… Really fun to watch on plays where you think he’s out of it. Trust me, he isn’t…
Key Combine Stats: N/A
Derick Hall – SR. – Auburn – 6’3″ 250lbs
Multi-sport high school athlete and it shows… Very explosive… Does not have the ‘bend’ you like from EDGE rushers but don’t let that stop him… Powerful and often violent hands… Combines speed and strength to trouble blockers… Tight ends were little to no match for him… Better than most college players at setting the edge… Has plenty of room to grow in terms of his pass rushing… Good locker room guy as well…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.55
10-yard Split: 1.59
Adetomiwa Adebawore – SR. – Northwestern – 6’2″ 265lbs
Versatility is outstanding… Literally showed he can play almost anywhere along the front from EDGE to a 3-tech… Extremely bright young man and it shows on the field… Really good and surprising quickness… I’m wondering if he isn’t better suited inside but time will tell… Tremendous motor which leads him to be a great pursuer… Overall size is a big of an issue if he stays on the EDGE…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.49
10-yard Split: 1.61
Bench (225lbs) 27 reps
Will McDonald IV – SR. – Iowa State – 6’4″ 245lbs
High motor guy who has length that teams covet… A bit of a disappointing season coming off a spectacular 2021… Showed a lot of versatility playing across the front this past season… Seems best suited to be on the outside… Really good first step… Will need to get stronger physically… Must improve against the run… Could be a really dangerous pass rusher if he adds to his catalog of moves…
Key Combine Stats:
Vertical: 36″
Broad” 11′
Notes: Tomlin and Khan attended Pro Day and had dinner with McDonald.
Other guys worth noting: Andre Carter II – Army, Mike Morris – Michigan, Brenton Cox, Jr. – Florida,
