Prospects at ILB

@AskQuestionsLater
I like this guy he has some pop, and pretty good hands too.

 

Payton Wilson is good but only so in space. Definitley can be used as a 3-4 ILB but he is going to need quite a bit of support from his IDL to succeed early.

Cedric Gray is rock solid but I would like to see more pass rushing chops from him. Dude is an energizer bunny though. Think turbo charged Mark Robinson that we have.


You already know my thoughts on Cooper.

 

I don't

 

Edgerrin Cooper and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. That is more or less, the best options among ILBs for the 2024 class. Aaron Curry does give me hope about what I have seen from the likes of Holcomb, Robert's and Alexander. That said, my issue isn't with Curry.


My bigger concern lies with Teryl Austin. Damn the Corner play sans Porter Jr. His overall utilization of Minkah Fitzpatrick to his tremendous job of not using bracket coverage on Tight Ends in the MOF is but a number of gripes I have with him.

 

Coverage is exactly what the Steelers want out of their ILB. They have some run stoppers at the position they can sub in. They really don't use their ILB for pass rush all that much.

 

I would add Cody Simon Ohio State, Michael Barrett MICH to Junior Colson.
We could seek 2 ILB and 2 safeties in this draft.

 

I really thought we struck gold with Kwan Alexander. He seemed to get better with every game in a Steeler uniform. Gone with a Torn ACL and a 1 year contract.

I don't know if there will be another Kwan out there this year in Free Aency.

I want to see the 40 Clock on the smaller Trotter for an ILB.

I liked Tyron Hopper last year (2022) at Missouri, but he seemed to take a giant step backwards in his 5th year (2023). No idea what happened last year in Missouri. After his 2022 season in Missouri he was looking like he was setting himself up for a 1st round pick in 2024. Something went wrong in 2023, if you can find out what, he could be a late round steal.

 

I hope they stay from those smaller ILBs, we saw how Bush struggled at his size and being physical.

 

While this is what the team seeks, remember that having such skills is much better than without; a critical component of being the rare three down ILB. Fred Warner and Roquan Smith are excellent examples of having said skills. While neither the 49ers nor Ravens ask their ILBs (MLB in Warners case) blitz often, when they do, it yields great impact all the same.

 

Boy ,I am not sure who is out there that can cover TE's and also stop
A 225 pound rb. But we better find a couple of these. We are getting killed
In the middle of field.

 

That’s a rare find.

 

Very rare. I hope they bring back Kwon and Others, but it seems like there are not lbs in college that can handle this job. I forgot rb's in passing plays, they have to be able to do
This also.

 

Cedric Gray isn't highly touted from what i read in prospects but i've seen his game and he definitely has the smarts and the motor.
Nice pick. Currently under the radar

 

I have seen him in the 5th.

 

Yup, coverage is the single most important skill needed for the Steeler MLB position, A run stopping MLB is easier to find and the Steelers already have 2 of those in Roberts and Robertson.

 

I love Wilson. He reminds of Chad Brown. Long, Fast and Bendy. In todays NFL MLB’s are basically an extension of a Box Safety. The Steelers could not cover the middle of the field last year and it was death by a thousand cuts watching TE’s take adg=vantage of us. The way we play defense we ask our MLB’s to wear a lot of hats. You heard what Edelman said “The Steelers do what they do, they covered me with a ILB”. With that being said what we really need is a better DT to replace Ogunkobi and too occupy OG’s and Tackles and allow our hybrid ILB/Safeties to truly cover the middle of the field from a pass coverage perspective. I thin k Wilson or Cooper are the best Coverage Linebackers in the draft. We have thumpers we need coverage linebackers.

 

Aaron Curry gives me hope that ILB position
Will improve, gosh I hope so we are getting eaten alive in
pass defense at this and safety position.

 

A dynamic SS can cover a multitude of ILB weaknesses

 

steelers showing a lot of interest in this position.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...S&cvid=37de54fda96e4b4aba97ad08d98e2ff1&ei=15

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/01/steelers-very-interested-in-texas-am-lb-edgerrin-cooper-he-says/

 

steelers meet with LB payton wilson.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...S&cvid=c8355c747407465a86449c2c7c2445be&ei=49

 

Kwon has always been a very good player, he just has struggled to stay healthy for his career. He's torn his ACL, a pectoral, a bicep, and his Achilles twice now. Not sure he's a viable option at his age coming off his second Achilles tear. As for what is out there in Free Agency? Patrick Queen is the biggest name (and would be a perfect fit). Devin White is also a FA a tier below Queen, and Josey Jewell and Willie Gay Jr. are also Holcomb like options. I'd be fine if they wanted to draft here, but Queen would solidify the position for a long time.

 

Not for the money Queen will be looking for.