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.