The defensive line of the Steelers has always been a franchise focal point. Chuck Noll drafted Joe Greene and Bill Cowher drafted Casey Hampton in first rounds to set championship teams into motion, even before they had their starting quarterbacks.
The Steelers have not selected a defensive lineman in the first round since 2011 when they plucked Cam Heyward from Ohio State. Prior to picking Keeanu Benton in the second round in 2023, they had not taken one in the second round since 2014 when they took Stephon Tuitt out of Notre Dame.
While the team has taken some shots in the third round in that time, they primarily have resorted to throwing darts on players on day three. The lack of talent at the end of the roster shows, particularly after the soon-to-be-suspended Larry Ogunjobi was released. That leaves 36-year-old Heyward and the ascending Benton to start up front. As the Ravens showed in piling up 299 rushing yards in the playoff game, the Steelers need more than Mon Adams to help the two.
The rest of the roster includes Dean Lowry, a veteran now in his second year with the team; Daniel Ekuale, a five-technique journeyman signed from the New England Patriots; and 2021 fifth-rounder Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Joining the competition this year will be last year's injured sixth-round draft pick Logan Lee; free agent addition from Jacksonville Jaguars Esezi Otomewo; and two players who spent time on the practice squad last season in Jacob Slade and Domenique Davis.
MY TAKE
For the first time in 14 years, I believe the Steelers will take a defensive lineman in the first round. And because of some of the numbers above (36 years old; 299 rushing yards allowed), do not be surprised if the team double dips at the position.
There are two first-round candidates who would fit the Steelers' scheme and needs. The first is massive nose tackle Kenneth Grant from Michigan.
What's special about Grant is that he has the athleticism to play nose tackle on run downs and three-technique in the nickel. Grant put on a show at the Michigan Pro Day. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were home meeting with Aaron Rodgers, but defensive coordinator Teryl Austin saw the big man vertical jump 31 inches and run a solid 5.11 40 at 6-3, 330 pounds.
When you put on the tape of Grant, you see a gargantuan nose tackle with a massive wingspan (82 5/8) that he utilizes to lock out offensive lineman and shut down rushing lanes, allowing his linebackers to knife into the backfield for tackles for loss. As a pass-rusher he lacks a wide variety of moves but can push the pocket due to his sheer power and has the quickness to get home.
Kenneth Grant is a MENACE at the center of a defense.
He constantly draws double teams but has still managed 8 sacks, 50 pressures, and 39 run stops in the last two seasons.
He’s all of 6’3, 342lbs and is an INCREDIBLE athlete at that size. Could end up a top 10 pick. pic.twitter.com/ugjrmahM6Z
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 31, 2025
If the Steelers want a player with more pass rush upside, initially, Derrick Harmon would be the choice. He led all interior defensive linemen in QB pressures (55) last season due to his twitch and quickness (4.95 40).
Harmon has experience playing in a variety of formations and techniques due to his time both at Oregon and Michigan State. He has a strong build (6-4, 313) with tremendous length (34 3/8), and huge, heavy hands (10 3/8) to be a force in the run game. Is a selfless teammate who, when at Michigan State, played more as a nose tackle and even at a heavier weight (340) to be a primary run-stuffer.
Starting to think Derrick Harmon might make the most sense at pick 23. One of the most well-rounded DTs in the class, he would eventually be a great replacement for Kenny Clark as a three-down lineman. pic.twitter.com/pDXoDfknmQ
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) March 26, 2025
If the Steelers choose to go elsewhere in the first round and they don't acquire any additional draft capital, the third round will be fertile ground for a D-lineman. Two players I like are Ty Robinson from Nebraska or Vernon Broughton of Texas.
Robinson is a sixth-year senior who was a stalwart along the Cornhuskers' front. He has an NFL-ready frame (6-5, 288) with solid length (32 ¼) that he taps into as a powerful run defender. He has good quickness and agility to slip past defenders off the ball and has a well defined pass-rush repertoire that he can use to pressure the quarterback.
Nebraska's Ty Robinson ran the fastest 40 among interior defensive linemen this combine, and his overall testing numbers were outstanding. His tape shows the athleticism, but I also love his playing personality. This dude wants to physically embarrass you. pic.twitter.com/bbQY3324G2
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 1, 2025
Broughton is a massive lineman (6-5, 311) with a pterodactyl-like length and wingspan (35, 83 7/8) that he uses to rag doll offensive linemen. He had to sit behind talented linemen in Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat, draft picks last season. Broughton really started to shine in his final season with the Longhorns.
What makes him even more impressive is that he has surprising first-step quickness off the line of scrimmage and a variety of moves in his arsenal that should allow him to continually evolve into more than just a run-stuffer at the next level.
I’m late getting to his tape but Vernon Broughton is easily a day 2 pick. Quick, explosive, skilled hands, lethal bull rush/long-arm pic.twitter.com/m22yvvSQ2W
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 23, 2025
If the Steelers do want to double dip at the position, there are intriguing players into the late rounds. One is C.J. West, who played his final season with the Indiana Hoosiers after starting for three years at Kent State.
West is a player whose games is like that of Adams, as he has impressive quickness to knife into the backfield and has some pass-rushing prowess. But when tasked with two-gapping, West's lack an anchor can allow rush lanes to open.
Major green flag I look for is refined football players with high RAS grades. Crazy, I know.
Indiana DT C.J. West is a sturdy, spatially aware defender with great hands who excels against the run. Elite testing at 9.14 RAS. My dream for #Bears in Round 3. pic.twitter.com/b2dd91n59B
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 21, 2025
If the Steelers grab a player more suited as a five-technique with pass-rushing chops early, then a player who will likely be available in the seventh round who has obviously intrigued them (hosted him on a pre-draft visit), there's Yahya Black from Iowa.
Black brings a massive frame (6-5, 336) with outstanding length and wingspan (35, 83 7/8), and heavy hands that he utilizes to hold the point of attack with ease. For as good as he is in the run game, his upside is capped by a lack of quickness to be anything more than a pocket pusher as a pass-rusher.
Iowa DT Yahya Black (No. 94): Very good run stuffer. Maybe a bit underrated. pic.twitter.com/pSDrP0VatG
— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) March 25, 2025
One final player that I found intriguing will likely be available as an undrafted free agent. Desmond Watson is the definition of "The Planet Theory," so named by former New York Giants general manager George Young, who believed there are only a finite number of large, athletic individuals on the planet and you had better grab one or four of them. Watson has a colossal frame (6-6, 464) that's even bigger than that of former Steelers defensive lineman Daniel "Shade Tree" McCullers, who stood (6-7, 352). While Watson will never win any running contests (5.95 40), he is a nimble athlete whom the Gators even utilized as a fullback in short-yardage situations.
Push that tush, Desmond.
Watson is a powerhouse at the point of attack due to his upper body strength as evidenced by his 36 reps on the bench at his Pro Day. He could carve out a long-term role as a two-down run clogger at the next level at the low price of a priority undrafted free agent deal.
Florida DL Desmond Watson is an absolute UNIT! 6-5/415lbs ?
(via @GatorsFB) pic.twitter.com/mtRnylhGnp
— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 21, 2022
VALUE BOARD
First Round: Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Derrick Harmon, Oregon.
Second Round: Darius Alexander, Toledo; Tyleik Williams, Ohio State.
Third Round: Ty Robinson, Nebraska; Alfred Collins, Texas; Vernon Broughton, Texas.
Fourth Round: Joshua Farmer, Florida State; Jordan Phillips, Maryland; Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon.
Fifth Round: Warren Brinson, Georgia; C.J. West, Indiana; J.J. Pegues, Ole Miss.
Sixth Round: Ty Hamilton, Ohio State; Deone Walker, Kentucky; Rylie Mills, Notre Dame.
Seventh Round: Yahya Black, Iowa; Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech; Thor Griffith, Louisville.
Undrafted Free Agents: Jay Toia, UCLA; Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska; Desmond Watson, Florida .
(Follow Roy Countryman on Twitter @PreacherBoyRoy for more draft analysis and insights.)
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant smothers a USC running back (Photo: Junfu Han, USA TODAY Sports)
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter