Thanks to a flurry of moves during the first week of the new league year, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the draft with plenty of flexibility. There isn’t one huge roster hole that will command the Steelers’ attention in the first round, so the team can go for the best player available if they want to.
Which could include a linebacker. While the Steelers could stand to add to that room, it’s not been mocked to them very often during this draft cycle. Especially not in the first round, at 21st overall. But to CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, that could make some sense in the form of Georgia’s C.J. Allen.
“Allen is somebody that can create accountability for this defense. Patrick Graham, coming over from the Raiders, you have a green dot for his defense now, moving forward,” Edwards said Monday on CBS Sports HQ. “There’s a long-term need at this position. And I think Allen, just with Mike McCarthy’s roots, knowing where the Steelers have buttered their bread in the past. This is a physical organization, and they need to set the tone at the point of attack. And I think Allen is somebody who can help set that tone, and be a leader for this Steelers’ defense moving forward.”
C.J. Allen is an interesting prospect for the Steelers to consider in the first round. While Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles command most of the attention at that position, Allen is probably the best in the second tier of this linebacker pool. He’s a gritty player, one who plays tough and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line. Allen plays the run well when taking on and shedding blocks, and he’s a consistent tackler.
However, there are some traits of Allen’s that might make him a little frightening that early. For one, he’s not the greatest athlete. While it was under a different staff, the Steelers prioritized athleticism in the last linebacker they spent a high pick on, Payton Wilson. Allen does a lot of things well and understands the game at a high level. But his athleticism limits him somewhat.
The linebacker position might be one worth adding to, though. Patrick Queen hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, and there was some trade chatter earlier this offseason. Wilson is also still showing a few inconsistencies after his second year in the league. Neither has cemented themselves as the long-term future at the position quite yet.
Pittsburgh did re-sign Cole Holcomb, but it would still make sense to add more talent to the linebacker corps. And with the other moves the Steelers made, they have the ability to take a chance on one in the first round. Edwards thinks C.J. Allen is a candidate who makes a lot of sense.
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