The Steelers need a real NT

Benton isn't the answer move him to DT next season if Larry O is gone, they could use a Vita Vea type at NT. I wanted them to draft T'Vondre Sweat but he went earlier than I thought he would going to the Titans in the second round.

 

I've had my eyes on kentucky's Deone Walker all season

 

this should be a heavy offense offseason, but DLINE is critical, the one key area. First round, will always be 'who falls to us' - could Walker?

and yes, we do need a CB.

 

He’s my early favorite too

 

I have been saying this for years. Tomlin doesn’t value NT’s or big DT’s for that matter. I understand it is a passing league and you don’t want to commit to three down lineman so that as a result makes it even more imperative too have bigger DT’s if your playing with two downlineman. Tomlin likes the smaller quicker gap penetrating DT’s. He is so rigid in his way of thinking he can’t get off the Warren Sapp type of DT from his Tampa Bay days.

As a result we have smallish MLB’s that can’t get off blocks Those MLB’s are unprotected because our DT’s can often be single blocked so in effect we are forced to add a third DT to commit to stopping the run which then opens the back end for teams to pass on us. This is the very reason why I keep saying we need a legit DC or some innovative Defensive coaches that are going to challenge Tomlin a bit. The league by the way is transitioning back to running the ball more because defenses are smaller.

I truly hope we get a 340 lb DT next year that we can plug in the middle and move Benton to 3 tech. We need to protect our ILB’s and allow them to flow freely to the ball. We need another CB for man coverage badly as well. We suck at zone coverage.

 

Unfortunately I don’t think Walker makes it out of the top 20. Lots of quality defensive backs in this draft so should be able to snag one or two.

 

I think Benton is just having a sophmore slump.

I think he is capable of being really good, but he isn't getting the coaching and/or the system isn't going to let him shine like Casey could.

 

I don't want to derail a moving train, but after Week 9 the Steelers had then #1 ranked defensive line in the NFL.


I still believe when healthy this is one of the best D-Lines in Football.
NFL defensive line rankings ahead of Week 10


.

 

We drafted Logan Lee to play at DE. Benton is already bigger than Larry O and Adams, and he's only 23 years old. Let him continue to grow into his NT role. You must have depth so I'm good with drafting another of each, but it's not like the cupboard is bare and it's a must get. We also have Fehoko on PS.

 

We talk about Troy and Ben leading both side of the ball, but Big Snack was so incredible at NT, someone whom Steelers never were able to seriously replace. Does Casey have any grown boys?

 

Has had a disappointing season.

 

He has the size they could use somebody who can command double teams.

 

Yes they do, Casey Hampton type. Somebody that can't
be blocked by 1 person. There out there we just have to find the right one.

 

Benton lost weight so he could finish better this season but it hasn't worked, Fehoko has been on the PS for two years I don't he has been active for a game yet.

 

Those guys on SNR have been saying they don't think Benton is a NT.

 

I know style and O's have changed over the years and it may be hard to imagine drafting high for a guy who might be only in 40 to 60% of D snaps. but the reason we need to is specifically the things you stated. This issue was been pretty consistent since Hargraves left. I wish they could have kept him, but the money was pretty thin and the D line already had to big contracts.

 

I don't see them going NT in the first round, because he will likely play 35-40% of the snaps.

 

I would advise caution with him. He isnt the true, space eating monster some make him out to be. For whatever reason this season, leverage has been a massive issue for him.


It wasnt during his Sophomore Campaign though. Even more odd?! It wasnt nearly as bad as the beginning of his Junior Campaign this season.

 

As far as Run Stuffing IDLs go in College worth investing in Round One?! Kenneth Grant from Michigan, Tyleik Williams from Ohio State or even Walter Nolen from Ole Miss (a wildcard).


Biggest surprise may be Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee. @KnoxVegasSteel can tell ya about him more than I could but boy oh boy. That young gun is a hidden gem there.

 

This is true. Fehoko has not been needed. The point is there is depth at NT with him if needed.

One thing is how this conversation comes up every single offseason amongst the fans. And it always seem to lead back to how we decided to pay Tuitt, and let Hargrave walk in FA. And then Tuitt retired unexpectedly, leaving us with a gaping hole in the defensive line. The effort has been there if you just look at the draft and FA moves. Leal has had moments but cannot stay on the field even when healthy. Loudermilk has been the backup to everyone else along the line and I still don't know what his role is. Adams, Larry, Benton, again have had good games but just not consistently. The Steelers definitely seem to have a body type and style of play they look for when it comes to DL. We are better off now though since the days of Buggs and the Davis twins. I feel like we will keep at it until we get the right pieces.

 

that is always what needs to be couched in these posts. the realm of 'possibility'

so, he sits there on our board - if by some gift of God , he falls, then we get a steal in the draft. We have too many needs and dealt to many picks to move around or up to much, IMO, in April. the M Williams trade was dumb, IMO.

Some say "we won in Wash b/d of it" Well - that says something too.....that it took a miracle play to win there, after our Bye week. the smacked us around that day.

 

They very rarely utilize a true Nose. But I want to see them draft a DT early.

Ogunjobi is signed for the 2025 season. He can't stay healthy and has been a disappointment this season. If they cut him when the league year starts by day 3 they will only owe him $3,533,334. Ba Bye.

 

I Think he's a big guy who is most notable for his interior pass rushing skills if I am correct. Not sure he immediately solves any perceived issues at NT. Kenneth Grant is a pretty firm DT/NT that is that run stuffer, but the problem lies that you'd be drafting a guy in the first round that isn't going to be on the field much in passing downs.... I think the DL could stand to get younger with Heyward and Ogunjobi both being over 30, but I don't think its among our biggest needs. We need freaking playmakers. Replace Najee and get a WR2.... those should be our first priorities. We could always grab a DL or CB, but I don't think they are first round priority unless we spend on offense in the offseason.

 

Definitely need to grab a young stud DT early. Even if Cam plays another year, he'll need to be replaced sooner than later.

Having another quality piece for the rotation is reason enough. These guys have been toasted by the end of games.

Still need to keep upgrading th secondary as well.

 

Was watching him the other day. I cannot believe how he moves fo a guy his size.