2025 Draft DL

[Born2Steel]

Attempts have been made to bring in talent on the DL. We have drafted and brought in FA. The DL is not tough to analyze. Cam is a beast, but a beast getting older and near the end of his playing days. Larry O, may have him closer to retirement than Cam. Benton seem to be the new guy with the most upside in the room. Other than Logan Lee who was on IR for his rookie year, that's about what we got. That and some depth pieces.


DL should continue to be drafted until we find our guys. Start listing some of your guys here. Mostly looking at the draft but we can talk FA as well.

[tube517]

Loudermilk is a UFA. Leal is injury prone. Need Larry O is injury prone. Logan Lee missed the entire season. Lowry was also injured.

That's a lot of L's

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[Born2Steel]

Any thoughts on TJ Spencer, SC?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Any thoughts on TJ Spencer, SC?

TJ Sanders. I am interested in seeing him Senior Bowl week.

He looks like an athletic D lineman but I want to see how he is in the run game. Can he anchor and control his gap. He kind of looks like a 1-gap DT that looks to shoot gaps more than take on the O lineman, kind of in the way DeMarvin Leal did.

[Born2Steel]

TJ Sanders. I am interested in seeing him Senior Bowl week.

He looks like an athletic D lineman but I want to see how he is in the run game. Can he anchor and control his gap. He kind of looks like a 1-gap DT that looks to shoot gaps more than take on the O lineman, kind of in the way DeMarvin Leal did.

Yep Sanders, not Spencer. Maybe that's why he caught my attention. I really liked Leal coming out of A&M. He has looked good in moments, just not enough moments. I think he's gone.

I don't much Iowa football either so I'm not sure what Lee is gonna bring to the DL.

Back to Sanders, he has a great first step. At least on his highlight film. That's one less thing he has to learn. His 'rip under' move is somewhat similar to Deebo's, though not quite as parallel to the ground as Deebo's. He also seems to move along the line more like a 3t than just an average 1 gap defender. No?

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https://youtu.be/fKMQPC-erkM?si=0Giw31z-w2zL0Txz

A quick 2 minute highlight clip of TJ Sanders. He lines up over Center, A gap, and B gap in this.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Yep Sanders, not Spencer. Maybe that's why he caught my attention. I really liked Leal coming out of A&M. He has looked good in moments, just not enough moments. I think he's gone.

I don't much Iowa football either so I'm not sure what Lee is gonna bring to the DL.

Back to Sanders, he has a great first step. At least on his highlight film. That's one less thing he has to learn. His 'rip under' move is somewhat similar to Deebo's, though not quite as parallel to the ground as Deebo's. He also seems to move along the line more like a 3t than just an average 1 gap defender. No?

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https://youtu.be/fKMQPC-erkM?si=0Giw31z-w2zL0Txz

A quick 2 minute highlight clip of TJ Sanders. He lines up over Center, A gap, and B gap in this.

Yup, Sanders has a good first step, but what is he...6'4" 290lbs? Not gonna play OLB, but more likely a 3-4DE. In that video link you posted he takes a lot of steps sideways to avoid O linemen which results in losing gap integrity. He doesnt show any kind of heavy hands or upper body strength that I can see which shocks the defender, which is a concern to me.

The last guy that I saw who avoided contact and made plays was Jarvis Jones. Again, Jones was a OLB and Sanders a D lineman but D linemen in the NFL have to relish the fight in the phone booth and shock the O lineman with violent hands and hip roll, not avoid them with quick feet jumping out of the gap.

He accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, so will be good to see how he does that week vs other top prospects.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Alfred Collins is also going to be in Mobile and will be interesting to watch. 6'5" 320lbs and appears to have long arm that he uses well to keep O linemen off of him and make plays. He just seems to go forward and take on contact on the way to the football, and not move lateral to avoid contact. Could be a real good fit at 3-4 DE.

[Born2Steel]

Alfred Collins is also going to be in Mobile and will be interesting to watch. 6'5" 320lbs and appears to have long arm that he uses well to keep O linemen off of him and make plays. He just seems to go forward and take on contact on the way to the football, and not move lateral to avoid contact. Could be a real good fit at 3-4 DE.

Texas does put out some good DL players. That guy is huge too.

[Born2Steel]

Ty Robinson 6'6"-310, a Senior out of Nebraska is getting some early ink. Looks like he's more of a traditional NT. Big and strong that eats up blockers to allow others to get free. From what little I found on him, he's not what I would call 'fast off the ball', nor does he show elite agility. He looks like just pure power eating space. There's a place for guys like him in the NFL. Depends on what type NT you're looking for.

Here's a quick glance. Sometimes he's #9, other times he's #99........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XJTyvptCYg

[Born2Steel]

Deone Walker 6'6"-345, Junior DT from Kentucky. A pre-season All-American DL. Not just huge, he's athletic and has a brutal punch off the snap. I see a guy that could play NT in the NFL and be dominant. He is a player that will require double teams most snaps. Still raw in some ways but impressive at the same time. Just fun to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqzUgsISHUA
More of a scouting breakdown video than a highlight reel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGpYKdV9Fy0
This highlight reel just because you get to see him slip out into zone coverage.

[BlackAndGold]

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/20...errick-harmon/

Derrick Harmon

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Ty Robinson 6'6"-310, a Senior out of Nebraska is getting some early ink. Looks like he's more of a traditional NT. Big and strong that eats up blockers to allow others to get free. From what little I found on him, he's not what I would call 'fast off the ball', nor does he show elite agility. He looks like just pure power eating space. There's a place for guys like him in the NFL. Depends on what type NT you're looking for.

Here's a quick glance. Sometimes he's #9, other times he's #99........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XJTyvptCYg

Ya know, I like the look of him. The size, the motor, the strength and hand usage. He isnt an elite athlete, but the kind of guy that looks like a Chris Hoke kind of player. Plays with a low pad level for his size and takes on contact, while keeping his feet moving and chases the ball everywhere.

Scholar athlete honor roll and Tom Osborne citizenship award winner. I like him in maybe round 4 or 5, but another that will be good to watch at Senior Bowl. Thanks for posting.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/20...errick-harmon/

Derrick Harmon

Yup, Harmon is another one that fits the bill as a Steelers DE. I will be interested in seeing some testing numbers in terms of strength, as he doesnt at times look that strong and gets stalemated by O linemen, but then slides off. He looks like he needs an NFL weight room, but it might just be what some film looks like. Not a great get off from what I see, but good pad level and good pursuit of the play.

Could be some good options to improve the D line in this draft. Maybe double down on Day 2 and 3.

[BlackAndGold]

Another potential round one name, Walter Nolan.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/20...-walter-nolen/

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Could be some good options to improve the D line in this draft. Maybe double down on Day 2 and 3.

I would 100% be on board with that, and it should be considered. The d-line needs a bit of overhaul outside of the obvious names of Cam and Benton.

Some day 3 options.

Ty Robinson(as you mention above)
Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Cam Jackson, Florida

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Another potential round one name, Walter Nolan.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/20...-walter-nolen/

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I would 100% be on board with that, and it should be considered. The d-line needs a bit of overhaul outside of the obvious names of Cam and Benton.

Some day 3 options.

Ty Robinson(as you mention above)
Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Cam Jackson, Florida

The thing with Nolen is that he has the size of a 4-3 DT, so either the Steelers shift to a 4-3 or maybe they look at Benton playing DE in the 3-4 and Nolen inside. But Nolen might not handle double teams that well. Sometimes its not just talent but scheme fit.

I believe we have 2 fourth round picks so addressing D line 2 times in the first 4 rounds is something I am all for as well. They got 3 O linemen in the draft last year, so lets look at the other side of the football.

[Born2Steel]

These players seem to match the Steelers size and production for DL/OLB:

Abdul Carter PSU, 6'5"-252, OLB prospect.

Kenneth Grant, Michigan, 6'3"-340, DT prospect.

Shemar Stewart Tennessee, 6'6"- 290, OLB prospect.

Derrick Harmon Oregon, 6'5"-310, DE prospect.

Walter Nolan Ole Miss, 6'4"-290, DE prospect.

Mike Green, Marshall, 6'4"-250, OLB prospect.

Deone Walker, Kentucky, 6'6"-345, DT prospect.

Alfred Collins, Texas, 6'5"-320, DT prospect.

Jack Sawyer, OSU, 6'4"-265, OLB prospect.

Princely Umanmielen, Florida/Ole Miss, 6'5"-255, OLB prospect.

TJ Sanders, SC, 6'5"-295, DT/DE prospect.

Demondre Capehart, Clemson, 6'5"-315, DT prospect.


Just a few names to get started with.

[Born2Steel]

https://youtu.be/jrUGd3n3w0I?si=q4SMdAMcx6TbaELx

You guys need to watch this on Walter Nolan DE, Ole Miss

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

https://youtu.be/jrUGd3n3w0I?si=q4SMdAMcx6TbaELx

You guys need to watch this on Walter Nolan DE, Ole Miss

Lance Zeirline uses John Franklin-Myers as a comparison. I see some Geno Adkins in his game. Quick, strong, twitchy 1 gap player. I think he is a 4-3DT, but not sure that he would fit in a 3-4 with the Steelers.

[Born2Steel]

Lance Zeirline uses John Franklin-Myers as a comparison. I see some Geno Adkins in his game. Quick, strong, twitchy 1 gap player. I think he is a 4-3DT, but not sure that he would fit in a 3-4 with the Steelers.

I'm curious though. He may not have the length for what we ask of our DTs. We'll find out more at senior bowl practices. He just plays like a brute.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I'm curious though. He may not have the length for what we ask of our DTs. We'll find out more at senior bowl practices. He just plays like a brute.

Yeah, I love Senior Bowl week. Best on best and sometimes can catch glimpses of some players work ethic, motor, character. Quinon Mitchell last year was still out there practicing on day 3, when a lot of the other top players decided they were not going to risk injury by playing in the game and left after 1 or 2 days of practice. That tells me he is a competitor and football junkie.

The Walter Nolan piece to me is that he is a 1 gap penetrator and slashes into gaps. In the 3-4, you normally see our DE's lining up on the OT head up or inside (4 or 4i technique). The OLB is outside the OT. the 3-4DE is going to face double teams and I dont see Nolan being effective as some bigger guys in the draft. But maybe he will show us different in Mobile.

[Born2Steel]

Yeah, I love Senior Bowl week. Best on best and sometimes can catch glimpses of some players work ethic, motor, character. Quinon Mitchell last year was still out there practicing on day 3, when a lot of the other top players decided they were not going to risk injury by playing in the game and left after 1 or 2 days of practice. That tells me he is a competitor and football junkie.

The Walter Nolan piece to me is that he is a 1 gap penetrator and slashes into gaps. In the 3-4, you normally see our DE's lining up on the OT head up or inside (4 or 4i technique). The OLB is outside the OT. the 3-4DE is going to face double teams and I dont see Nolan being effective as some bigger guys in the draft. But maybe he will show us different in Mobile.

Yep. And so long as our OLBs are our primary pass rushers it will be that way.

Alfred Collins, Derrick Harmon, Deone Walker, and TJ Sanders are probably more likely fits with us. And probably all available day 2.

[ALLD]

Makes you long for the days of Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith.

[Devilsdancefloor]

They need to be looking a nose tackle to make everything click haven’t had that dominate run stopping D since big snack retired.

[BlackAndGold]

Edit:
Reports are that he'll be 25 years old before the season starts. Would not draft him highly, but 4th round as a double dip pick? send in the card.