Forget all the talk about safeties and inside linebackers. Forget all the quarterback and running back rumor nonsense. The number one need for the Pittsburgh Steelers is an outside linebacker who can rush the passer. It has been the Achilles heel for Kevin Colbert for over ten years now. This team hasn’t had double-digit sacks from the outside since the days of Harrison and Woodley. Coincidentally that is also the last time the Steelers won a Super Bowl. If the team really wants to make an impact on the 2018 season with this draft, Harold Landry is the guy.
Harold Landry is the best pass rusher in this draft. There I said it. Better than Bradley Chubb, and miles better than Marcus Davenport. Ordinarily this fact would put him far out of reach to Pittsburgh at pick 28. Fortunately for the Steelers, Landry suffered an ankle injury which limited his production in 2017. If he had decided to come out after his junior year, things would’ve been very different. During the 2016 season, Landry had an amazing 16.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss. This kind of production would’ve made him a top 10 pick easily. His senior season at Boston College did not go quite as well. Despite his injuries though, Landry still managed 5 sacks in eight games for the Eagles. The combine pretty much confirmed his elite athletic status, here’s how his numbers looked.
STATS PERCENTILE
HEIGHT: 6’3″ 17
WEIGHT: 252lbs 16
40 YARD DASH: 4.64 87
VERTICAL JUMP: 36″ 82
BROAD JUMP: 119″ 72
3-CONE: 6.88 95
20 YARD SHUTT: 4.19 91
60 YARD SHUTT: 11.35 99
The Pittsburgh Steelers have essentially gone all in for 2018. After this season, the team could look quite a bit different on offense. Both Le’veon Bell and Martavis Bryant are likely to be gone. Quarterback Ben Roehtlisberger will also be one year older. While he’s coming off a terrific season, one has to wonder when father time will start to take its toll. If this is indeed the best chance for this team to win it all, the Steelers shouldn’t leave any bullets in the gun. It’s time Kevin Colbert made a bold move in the draft to put this team over the top. The Steelers need to look no further than across the state to see the benefits of being aggressive in the draft. Philadelphia maneuvered their way to a Super Bowl championship, Pittsburgh needs to do the same.
I agree, I’ve advocated for OLB as the biggest need, but Landry will be gone early. Josh Sweat might be in play at 28.
In the post I explain that they’d would and should trade up to get him.
Nope. Wrong. They need an inside linebackers. And that is what they will draft. They are in win now mode and need a run stuffer. That’s their biggest need
This about it for a minute. They already signed an inside linebacker so whoever they draft sits for at least a year. Draft a pass rusher who will impact this season. Go all in for a Super Bowl