Hey, any time I get a chance to use some form of a ‘Star Wars’ line I’m taking it!
More importantly however is the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a disturbing problem at their outside linebacker position. Oh they’re fine with Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt and rising Alex Highsmith, but who do they have to spell these two? The answer is Derrek Tuszka… And nothing else.
Today it was reported the Steelers have three guys in to look at as potential depth players.
#Steelers are working out former #Bengals and #Browns Wyatt Ray, former #Vikings DE Ifeadi Odenigbo and former #Giants and #Dolphins LB Trent Harris, per @JFowlerESPN.
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) June 1, 2022
In 19 games over two season with Tennessee and Cincinnati, Ray has two sacks and a forced fumble. Odenigbo has 10.5 career sacks over four seasons but one of those seasons, in Minnesota, he collected seven. That was in 2019. As for Harris, the former Giant and Dolphin has played three seasons total and has a whopping two sacks.
If you take those things into consideration then Odenigbo clearly has the advantage in terms of experience and production. Therefore, the issue will likely come down to money. The Steelers aren’t likely to spend too much here because it is more than likely that a ‘Melvin Ingram-type situation’ could reveal itself some time during Training Camp. That would allow them a chance to sign a player with much better resume.
How Did the Steelers Get Here?
As Mike Tomlin says, “He wants volunteers not hostages.” When Melvin Ingram started to complain about his usage and playing time Tomlin and Kevin Colbert saw no need to keep him around. They got a sixth round pick for him from the Chiefs. Taco Charlton, the former first round selection of the Cowboys, was thought to be a guy who would return. He made a few nice plays in reserve and seemed like a nice fit in Pittsburgh. He signed with New Orleans in free agency however.
Those things aside, the Steelers actually may have made their biggest mistake by letting Quincy Roche go. A sixth round selection by the Steelers in 2021, he was released when the team needed a roster spot. He ended up with the New York Giants where he collected 2.5 sacks and was a major contributor on Special Teams. I’m not suggesting in any way that Roche was or is the second coming of James Harrison or Greg Lloyd but his presence right now would be a big asset.
Let’s throw in the fact that the team didn’t draft any EDGE rushers and there you go, we’ve got ourselves a significant shortage of depth at arguably the most important position in this defense. To complicate things further, Highsmith is entering his third season. If he produces a big year then the Steelers will be facing some decisions. There’s no way they pay two OLB’s huge money so they will have to make the position a priority in next year’s draft one way or another.
Cross Your Fingers
With any luck, one of the youngsters they brought in right after the draft begins to shine and makes a push for a roster spot. That’s asking a lot though and is also putting your chips in a dangerous basket. Making a deal for a depth player would more than likely require the compensation of a mid to late round draft pick. Are the Steelers willing to do such a thing?
The lack of depth at OLB is real and yes, it’s disturbing as well. Thankfully they have a little time to address things.
