NFL Draft
Steelers probably would not pass on a good linebacker EDITOR’S NOTE: Another in a series of articles about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preparations for the NFL Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday. Today: Linebackers.PITTSBURGH – It is no accident that the Steelers have the best linebackers in football. They have persevered with the 3-4 defensive alignment and stuck with it even when they were the only NFL team employing it.
And they mined the NFL draft for players who would fit into their scheme. For a while, they were the only team looking for outside linebackers among the draft’s best defensive ends. That’s where they found Jason Gildon, Joey Porter and Clark Haggans.
Inside linebackers have been gleaned from the best middle linebackers in the college game, with a few outside linebackers (Chad Brown) thrown in for good measure. They proved to be very good or very lucky when they transformed Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes into Kendrell Bell and James Farrior over the last few years.
Now, with Gildon, Porter, Bell and Farrior entrenched as starters, the Steelers have seen the 3-4 alignment come back to life around the league. With Haggans (outside) and John Fiala and Larry Foote (inside) and newly signed Clint Kriewaldt, the Steelers appear set at linebacker for a few years.
But that doesn’t mean they will avoid linebackers in this weekend’s draft. You never rest on laurels and you never pass on a good linebacker, especially if you play a 3-4.
It’s unlikely the Steelers will select a linebacker in the first round. In fact, they may not select one during Saturday’s first three rounds.
Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert mentioned linebackers, especially inside linebackers, among the weakest positions in this draft. Still, Pittsburgh is likely to find one somewhere along the way.
The highest-rated linebacker is Georgia’s Boss Bailey, who plays outside and is Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey’s brother. Bailey and Maryland inside linebacker E.J. Henderson are the only linebackers worthy of the first round and there are only three others – TCU’s LaMarcus McDonald (outside) and Kansas State’s Terry Pierce and Pitt’s Gerald Hayes (both inside) – likely to go in the second round.
There is a chance Pittsburgh might use a second-round pick on a linebacker, but only if Pierce were to fall to them. McDonald (6-1, 222) is too small to play outside in Pittsburgh and Hayes (6-0, 231) is a bit too small to play inside.
Pierce (6-3, 250) would be a good fit for what the Steelers ask their inside linebackers to do. He is similar to Bell in that he is a relentless pass rusher who struggles in coverage. Plus, he is a few inches taller than Bell.
Hawaii outside linebacker Pisa Tinolsamoa has enjoyed a steady move up the charts and may sneak into the second round. He isn’t prototypical in size (6-1, 231), but is said to have the best instincts of all the linebackers.
Arizona inside linebacker Lance Briggs (6-1, 242) may be the best linebacker in pass coverage, which could interest the Steelers, since they already have linebackers who can get to the quarterback but lack one who can drop in coverage.
Virginia’s Angelo Crowell (6-1, 236) is a bit small to play outside in Pittsburgh, but he is experienced inside, where he spent the last two seasons for the Cavaliers. He is a brother of Lions receiver Germane Crowell. He has been compared to Redskins linebacker Jessie Armstead, but also compares to former Steeler Jerry Olsavsky.
Oregon State’s Nick Barnett is interesting because he is a bit undersized (6-2, 236), but can add bulk. He also improved considerably as a senior. He has good recognition skills, which would serve him well in Pittsburgh’s scheme.
There are a few second day picks who could be of interest to the Steelers.
Vanderbilt outside linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer has good size (6-4, 241) and is quick enough or his size. He is compared to former Steeler Carlos Emmons.
Pittsburgh may wish to take a flier on Mars Hill College’s Khalid Abdullah, who is a bit small at 6-2, 227, but who was the second-fastest linebacker timed at the Indianapolis combine. He is a project the Steelers can afford to work with, plus he would be a very serviceable special teams player for a year or two.
South Florida’s Kawika Mitchell also fits into that category, even though he is an inside linebacker. He has Levon Kirkland size (6-1, 253), but is almost as fast as Abdullah. He, too, is a project who would contribute on special teams.
Syracuse linebacker Clifton Smith was a four-year starter inside for the Orangemen and also has Kirkland size (6-2, 253). Even though he did not have a great senior season, he might develop into a solid pro.
NEXT: Secondary