Historically speaking, the outside linebacker position has been one of strength for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since switching to the 3-4 defense under former head coach Bill Cowher, Steelers’ edge rushers have terrorized quarterbacks.
This offseason the Steelers will enter training camp with starters in place but plenty of questions elsewhere. Let’s take a look.
Starters
T.J. Watt has developed only two seasons into one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers in the league. Watt finished 2018 with 13 sacks while still being utilized extensively in coverage. It’s scary to think what Watt could do it he only focused on rushing the passer.
Bud Dupree was supposed to be the next great Steelers pass rusher when the team drafted him back in 2015. But as he enters his fifth season he’s never topped six sacks in the season and has the same number of career sacks as Watt. This is his prove it year as he’s making a ridiculous $9.232 million this season on his fifth-year option.
Backups
Here’s where things get dicey. Veteran Anthony Chickillo has been the third man in the rotation for the past two seasons but doesn’t offer much in terms of the pass rush. He’s great on special teams and is solid in run support but if Dupree struggles again, he’s probably not the answer.
The guy who might be the answer is second-year pro Ola Adeniyi. He flashed in preseason last year and must have impressed the Steelers’ coaches enough they completely ignored outside linebacker this offseason. A lot is riding on Adeniyi’s ability to get after the quarterback.
The Steelers did draft two hybrid linebackers who could see looks on the edge. Sutton Smith was a pure edge rusher in college but looks a bit undersized for the position in the NFL. But Ulysees Gilbert III is a guy we really want to see perform. He’s a great athlete and a guy Akron used all over the field.
Outlook
As long as Watt continues to ascend as a player this unit should be fine. But I am not happy the Steelers gave Dupree the fifth-year option and then did very little for his backup plan.
