Steelers to release DT Montravious Adams

[pczach]

Steelers to Release DT Montravious Adams

by Josh Alper

The Steelers picked defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in the first round last Thursday and the rookie’s arrival appears to have helped push a veteran off the roster in Pittsburgh.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Steelers are going to release defensive tackle Montravius Adams. The move will clear $2.25 million in cap space.

Adams was signed off the Saints’ practice squad during the 2021 season and he played 46 games over the last four seasons. He had 72 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in those appearances. Adams was a 2017 third-round pick of the Packers and played his first 45 NFL games with Green Bay.

The Steelers also drafted Yahya Black in the fifth round as they work to build a defensive line that can avoid getting run over the way the 2024 version did in the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Ravens.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profoo...ntravius-adams

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I liked Adams, but I guess the move is to clear cap space and they must feel like they have better options going forward, including Black.

[tube517]

They have a lot of DL on the roster. Adams was a decent backup but gotta make cap space

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[oneforthetoe]

I am a little surprised by this. Clearly a cap savings measure. We have a lot of d'linemen but Adams seemed to be the primary backup on the nose. And Dunbar was pretty adamant that Black was a defensive end.

[pczach]

I liked Adams, but I guess the move is to clear cap space and they must feel like they have better options going forward, including Black.

Yeah, I don't know if Adams fighting some injuries also had something to do with this, but it appears that the money/production wasn't enough or they would have kept him.

I believe Ogunjobi is addition by subtraction.

I really like Harmon. He has some real traits that make you think he has a chance to be a big-time player.

I think Black is a little bit more of a clay piece that needs to be coached up and molded into more than his current condition as a player. He gets knocked off his feet a lot. He is explosive and strong with long arms, but needs to work on balance a bit plus some better hand usage. Learning to stay low to lower his center of gravity and improve contact balance will help with that.

This team has good edge players that pressure the quarterback. If they can generate more interior push, quarterbacks will have a difficult time in the pocket and the OLBs will feast. I hope that they can upgrade that DL room. They are obviously looking to be more physical up front and I hope they found a couple players that can accomplish that.

[oneforthetoe]

Although undersized isn't Logan Lee likely to get a look at NT as well?

[hawaiiansteeler]

Daniel Ekuale, who the Steelers signed in free agency from the Patriots* will provide depth at NT behind Keeanu Benton making Adams expendable.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Daniel Ekuale, who the Steelers signed in free agency from the Patriots* will provide depth at NT behind Keeanu Benton making Adams expendable.

Good point. Thanks for the reminder. So D line depth looks like this going into camp.

Heyward, Benton, Harmon, Ekuale,
Black
Leal
Lowry
Loudermilk
Lee

I can see them keeping 7 D line, so 2 of those guys on the list wont make the 53.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Good point. Thanks for the reminder. So D line depth looks like this going into camp.

Heyward, Benton, Harmon, Ekuale,
Black
Leal
Lowry
Loudermilk
Lee

I can see them keeping 7 D line, so 2 of those guys on the list wont make the 53.

One of my favorite Chuck Noll quotes:

"Cutting isn't the problem, stopping is"

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

One of my favorite Chuck Noll quotes:

"Cutting isn't the problem, stopping is"

Its up there with the John McKay quote from the Tampa Bay Bucs in the 70's I think. When asked by a reporter post game after a loss..."What are your thoughts on your team's execution today"? McKay replied, "I'm in favor of it."

[Mojouw]

Good point. Thanks for the reminder. So D line depth looks like this going into camp.

Heyward, Benton, Harmon, Ekuale,
Black
Leal
Lowry
Loudermilk
Lee

I can see them keeping 7 D line, so 2 of those guys on the list wont make the 53.

At this point....it has to be Leal and Loudermilk "on the bubble" with maybe Lowry lurking as well? All those guys are getting pretty easy to move on from in favor of some new faces...

[tube517]

How many linemen do they keep? 6 or 7?

Lee is basically a draft pick this year. He missed last year

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[ETL]

At this point....it has to be Leal and Loudermilk "on the bubble" with maybe Lowry lurking as well? All those guys are getting pretty easy to move on from in favor of some new faces...

Any DL with a last name that starts with letter L is at risk of being cut. I personally would like to see what Logan Lee can do.

[oneforthetoe]

Any DL with a last name that starts with letter L is at risk of being cut. I personally would like to see what Logan Lee can do.

I think that someone would really have to outplay Lee to kick him out of a spot. The Steelers don't like to give up on their draft picks unless they have played their way out of a job.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Any DL with a last name that starts with letter L is at risk of being cut. I personally would like to see what Logan Lee can do.

Sure, but Lee may not end up being any better than Loudermilk and we may not see much of him other than 3rd string in the preseason before he is cut. 7th round guy that the coaches will see in practice where he fits on the depth. I am hopeful for something better than Loudermilk as he has not really impressed at all in his time here IMO.

[Born2Steel]

https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/foo...ayer/logan-lee

I am rooting for Logan Lee to make this roster. The link I posted is his bio page at Iowa. Btw, not to split hairs but Lee was a 6th round pick, not 7th. At the time he was drafted he was the sack leader in Iowa football history. I actually think Logan Lee will beat Yahya Black for reps this season.

I also think Leal will be cut before Loudermilk. Not saying Loudermilk will not be cut but Leal hasn't seen much of the field the last 2 seasons, even when healthy. He doesn't have a true position within this defense. He'll be a better fit elsewhere.

My list of 7 today would be:
Heyward
Benton
Black
Otomewo
Ekuale
Harmon
Lee

If Lowry makes the 53, send Black/Otomewo to PS(protected)

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/foo...ayer/logan-lee

I am rooting for Logan Lee to make this roster. The link I posted is his bio page at Iowa. Btw, not to split hairs but Lee was a 6th round pick, not 7th. At the time he was drafted he was the sack leader in Iowa football history. I actually think Logan Lee will beat Yahya Black for reps this season.

I also think Leal will be cut before Loudermilk. Not saying Loudermilk will not be cut but Leal hasn't seen much of the field the last 2 seasons, even when healthy. He doesn't have a true position within this defense. He'll be a better fit elsewhere.

My list of 7 today would be:
Heyward
Benton
Black
Otomewo
Ekuale
Harmon
Lee

If Lowry makes the 53, send Black/Otomewo to PS(protected)

I am with you on Leal. I dont think that he really has the size to play DE, nor the ability to play OLB. He is likely better in a 4-3 system.

Lee I hope makes an impact as a rotational player. at 285lbs I hope he has put on some mass to play in the 3-4 but I really didnt see any twitch in his game. To be light and not athletic isnt a good combination. I would hope he can ascend to be a Travis Kirschke type rotations DE in this scheme.

I am still pleased to see they invested some draft capital in younger D line. You build a team inside out and the past few seasons have seen O line a draft priority, now its Defense turn.

[oneforthetoe]

https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/foo...ayer/logan-lee

I am rooting for Logan Lee to make this roster. The link I posted is his bio page at Iowa. Btw, not to split hairs but Lee was a 6th round pick, not 7th. At the time he was drafted he was the sack leader in Iowa football history. I actually think Logan Lee will beat Yahya Black for reps this season.

I also think Leal will be cut before Loudermilk. Not saying Loudermilk will not be cut but Leal hasn't seen much of the field the last 2 seasons, even when healthy. He doesn't have a true position within this defense. He'll be a better fit elsewhere.

My list of 7 today would be:
Heyward
Benton
Black
Otomewo
Ekuale
Harmon
Lee

If Lowry makes the 53, send Black/Otomewo to PS(protected)

If Black goes to the PS he would likely be gone in a week.

Seems to me the Steelers have had this knack for picking undersized / underpowered defensive ends and trying to fit them into there 3-man line ever since Chuck Noll had the Kieth's - Gary and Willis (I can never remember which one was the good one). Maybe it is so hard to find great 3-4 DE's. Most are either too underpowered to handle the double teams or not athletic enough to play on the outside of the line. But I just remember they always seem to have a few that stick around on the roster for a few years until they give up on them.

[ALLD]

Face it with common sense. The Steelers need to build a defensive line to defeat the Ravens at least twice per year otherwise they will never get past the first round of the playoffs.

[tube517]

If Black goes to the PS he would likely be gone in a week.

Seems to me the Steelers have had this knack for picking undersized / underpowered defensive ends and trying to fit them into there 3-man line ever since Chuck Noll had the Kieth's - Gary and Willis (I can never remember which one was the good one). Maybe it is so hard to find great 3-4 DE's. Most are either too underpowered to handle the double teams or not athletic enough to play on the outside of the line. But I just remember they always seem to have a few that stick around on the roster for a few years until they give up on them.

They just invited a BYU guy to camp. He is undersized in that mold

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[Born2Steel]

If Black goes to the PS he would likely be gone in a week.

Seems to me the Steelers have had this knack for picking undersized / underpowered defensive ends and trying to fit them into there 3-man line ever since Chuck Noll had the Kieth's - Gary and Willis (I can never remember which one was the good one). Maybe it is so hard to find great 3-4 DE's. Most are either too underpowered to handle the double teams or not athletic enough to play on the outside of the line. But I just remember they always seem to have a few that stick around on the roster for a few years until they give up on them.

If here's one of the protected PS players he can't be poached.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

If here's one of the protected PS players he can't be poached.

Is that new? I thought that any practice squad player was free to be signed by another team if he was signed to their active roster.

[tube517]

Is that new? I thought that any practice squad player was free to be signed by another team if he was signed to their active roster.

Not sure when that started but each team can protect 4 practice squad players each week

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[oneforthetoe]

Not sure when that started but each team can protect 4 practice squad players each week

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Is there a limit on how many times a player can be protected? Seem like there would be. Pretty sure there is a limit on how many times you can activate a player to the roster and then place him back on ps.

Found an article from 2022 that backed up what you stated and then another from 2024 that didn't mention the protecting of 4 players but that could have just been an oversite, so I assume you are correct.

[tube517]

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/...8fb4dab14764cb



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[oneforthetoe]

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/...8fb4dab14764cb



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Well now that you got me straightened out on that maybe Lee might be headed for the PS. Both he and Black are essentially rookies, and Black might be physically more ready than Lee who seems a little undersized.

[Mojouw]

Don’t dudes still have to pass through waivers to get to the practice squad?

In a league desperate for large guys to move other large guys, does either make it through waivers?

[tube517]

Don’t dudes still have to pass through waivers to get to the practice squad?

In a league desperate for large guys to move other large guys, does either make it through waivers?

I don't know. I was looking at so many links and got dizzy trying to figure out the practice squad rules. Too many conflicting or older articles.

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[Mojouw]

I don't know. I was looking at so many links and got dizzy trying to figure out the practice squad rules. Too many conflicting or older articles.

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That seems about right. I can never figure out the roster and cap rules because there’s just a pile of conflicting information out there.

I usually just hope someone here figures it out.