Steelers' attempts to bulk up D-line increases their flexibility for NFL Draft

If nothing else, the Pittsburgh Steelers are throwing bodies at one of their offseason depth issues.

And those bodies should be big enough to mitigate the problem.

While none of the signings really caused tremors on the free agency front across the National Football League, the Steelers at least appear to have done enough to shore up the interior of their defensive line so that they can focus on other areas of need in this month’s draft.

There are plenty of those. Cornerback, wide receiver and offensive tackle leap to mind.

Defensive line was also a key area of concern heading into this 2023 offseason. However, through the signings of Armon Watts on Tuesday and Breiden Fehoko last week — along with the retention of Larry Ogunjobi last month — the Steelers front office has at least tamped down the immediate need to use a Day 1 or Day 2 pick at that position if they are tempted by talent at other positions.

In signing the 6-foot-5, 307-pound Watts, the Steelers may have found themselves a slightly bigger, poor man’s version of what Javon Hargrave (6-foot-2, 305 pound) used to be for them — a rotational guy with the body type to play on the nose against the run, and push the pocket up the middle versus the pass. He could battle with Montravius Adams in that regard. At 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Fehoko could serve as a slightly smaller edition of Tyson Alualu (6-foot-4, 304 pounds) and play both positions as well.

Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal were also drafted over the past two years as developmental pieces behind Cameron Heyward, the now-retired Stephon Tuitt and Ogunjbi at the end positions. As a result, the Steelers now appear to have the makings of a defensive line with a little bit of depth and flexibility, despite the looming departures of Alualu and Chris Wormley.

More sports

• First Call: Steelers have recent familiarity with new defensive lineman; another Roethlisberger wins in Cleveland
• Tim Benz: Time for Penguins to become worthy of the gifts they've been given
• Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds honored as MLB player of the week after hot start to the season

As former pro and college scout Matt Williamson pointed out in our recent “NFL Draft Prep 101” series, “it’s not a particularly strong class” for players of that ilk in 2023. That’s not to say the Steelers won’t use a Thursday or Friday selection on an interior lineman if one is deemed worthy. Bryan Bresee of Clemson, Michigan’s Mazi Smith and Florida’s Gervon Dexter Sr. are all players Williamson and I mentioned during the podcast.

But beyond Georgia’s Jalen Carter, it’s a draft class that isn’t extremely deep up top in terms of players that tend to fit the mold of what the Steelers need in their evolving 3-4 defensive front.

The increased bulk thrown at the defensive line depth chart may dilute the Steelers’ desire to roll the dice on a player such as Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness in the first round — an individual who appears to have great potential but may not be a perfect scheme fit for what the Steelers need with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith already on the edges.

General manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin can at least wait to run to the podium for a front-seven player and attack other areas of need instead if they are so inclined.

Given the lack of depth at those spots listed above, that may be a wise approach.