Home 2015 NFL Draft Steelers should go OLB over CB in Round One

Steelers should go OLB over CB in Round One

by Carlos Azahar

Fans are undoubtedly annoyed with the fact that the Steelers let basically every single prime player slip through their fingers during Free Agency. With the exception of DeAngelo Williams, every other free agent ditched town without signing a contract. And that’s not even saying much.

Without sounding too much like good old Coach Tomlin, it’s (obvious) that it wasn’t meant to be, regarding Patrick Robinson, Sterling Moore, and pretty much every other free agent on the market. So, it looks like the team plans to build and add depth through the draft like always.

Anybody can tell that the biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball: cornerback and outside linebacker. Both are severely depleted of depth and talent.

But the question is: which one outranks the other in terms of necessity?

I am a firm believer in a strong pass rush over a mighty secondary. I guess it was all the jarring hits and the fear that was instilled from the likes of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley that made me a fan. 

With that in mind, I think an outside linebacker should be taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

First of all, the depth and talent at that position makes me hopeful that a good player could fall to us with the 22nd overall pick.

Quality guys like Bud Dupree and Eli Harold have a good chance of slipping to them.

The only cornerbacks who are worth taking in the first round would be Trae Waynes, Kevin Johnson, and Jalen Collins. 

Waynes will be long gone before they pick, as will Collins. Kevin Johnson may be available, but he might not be the best player available.

Kevin Colbert preaches the fact that the Steelers don’t reach for a position in the draft. But how dire does a situation have to be in order to bypass that mentality?

Not saying its that bad now, but there is a bigger sense of urgency, since the Steelers lost depth at both positions with the swift exit of Brice McCain and the shocking retirement of Jason Worilds that no one saw coming. 

The dreadful Baltimore Ravens proved that a formidable pass rush can mask a leaky secondary. They started different players there all year due to injuries and lack of talent. That should say something about the importance of a strong OLB group.

The only way I see the Steelers being a legitimate contender is if they bring back the boom up front.

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1 comment

davis March 21, 2015 - 8:12 pm

Couldn’t agree more. Without a decent pash rush, it doesn’t matter who’s playing in the secondary.

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