Steelers 2020 NFL draft preview: Linebackers

(AP Photo/Don Wright)

With just days to go until the 2020 NFL draft, we are going to go through all of the Steelers positional units to review the current state of the roster, gauge draft need, and talk about some approaches to addressing the need.

Next up, we have the linebackers.

Roster

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Steelers currently have seven linebackers on their roster. Starters are T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree at edge and Devin Bush and Vince Williams on the inside.

The backups on the roster are Olasunkanmi Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper at edge and Robert Spillane at inside LB.

Draft need

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The Steelers currently have one of the best edge duos in the league with Watt and Dupree. Even with the projected spike in the salary cap for 2021, it’s uncertain whether the Steelers will be able to work out a deal with Dupree. If they’re looking to draft Dupree’s potential predecessor, they’ll be taking an edge early in the draft. If they’re just looking for depth to compete with Adeniyi and Skipper, it can wait until one of their two fourth-round picks or later.

For me, the Steelers’ most immediate linebacker need is on the inside. Beyond Bush and Williams, there’s Spillane, who was activated to the roster from the practice squad last November and primarily played on special teams. He appeared in eight games for the Steelers after being released from the Tennessee Titans mid-season.

Potential targets

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Davion Taylor, ILB | Colorado

Jordyn Brooks, ILB | Texas Tech

Khaleke Hudson, ILB | Michigan

Anfernee Jennings, Edge | Alabama

Carter Coughlin, Edge | Tennessee