New Steelers ILB Buddy Johnson was productive in college, but team likes his tools more

If nothing else was known about an inside linebacker prospect, targeting the one who was the leading tackler on the SEC’s best defense is a pretty good place to start.

Not that Buddy Johnson’s new position coach knew his statistical resume.

“I don’t look at the production numbers, OK?” Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky said soon after the Steelers took Johnson with their second of two fourth-round picks Saturday. “I look at the film, and I see production, and I say, ‘Oh, this guy’s a good player.’

“I didn’t know (about Johnson’s stat superlatives). … The SEC is great football. But if you watch one game, you would be like, ‘Wow, this guy is active.’ And that’s what I’m looking for.”

The Steelers found the man they needed to challenge as a future starter in the middle of their defense next to Devin Bush. For the start of the 2021 season, Vince Williams and Robert Spillane figure to man the “Buck” inside linebacker spot, but Williams will be 32 by the time the season ends, and Spillane has seven career starts since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

The scouting report on Johnson is more Williams than it is Bush: run-stopping is considered the strength of Johnson’s game, while pass coverage is the concern that allowed him to slip to the late fourth round.

Olsavsky and Johnson, for their part, maintain Johnson isn’t necessarily a liability in pass coverage.

“I feel like I can do whatever my coaches ask me to do, whether it’s stopping the run, stopping the pass,” Johnson said. “I know this league. It’s changing for linebackers. You have to be able to run and move, so I look forward to getting out there and showcasing my talents.”

Johnson, who stands just over 6 feet tall and weighs 229 pounds, started all 23 of the Aggies’ games over the past two seasons, leading them in tackles in both. As a senior for a Texas A&M team that finished in the final AP top 10 and had the best statistical defense in the SEC in 2020, Johnson had 86 tackles, including 8½ for loss and four sacks. He also forced two fumbles.

Johnson was the second Texas A&M player the Steelers selected over a 13-pick span. They took offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. at No. 128 overall.

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