A Defense Heavy Draft

[Steeler Nation]

With the injury to Ryan Shazier during the Bengals game on December 4th, there was a hole left in the defense. With Shazier gone, no linebacker could fill the void of Shazier’s speed, quickness, and toughness. Their run game declined towards the end of the season and dismantled in the playoff game against the Jaguars. […]

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[21STEELERS21]

To replace Shazier you need 1 draft pick, that doesn't make the case for a defense heavy draft. Although that case can be made.

 

[MTC]

Definitely need a speedy MLB.
Shazier's play will be hard to replicate though

 

[slashsteel]

To replace Shazier you need 1 draft pick, that doesn't make the case for a defense heavy draft. Although that case can be made.

that is assuming the D was solid before shalieve's injury

it wasn't

 

[oicu8ad]

that is assuming the D was solid before shalieve's injury

it wasn't

Agreed. I saw Shazier miss quite a few tackles with his speed whiff.

 

[CoolieMan]

a big guy for up front, ILB and S help...and more OLBs.....

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Agreed. I saw Shazier miss quite a few tackles with his speed whiff.

And yet, he was more the reason that the defense was anywhere near as good as it was rather than the biggest liability. In this draft/FA period you need to replace a three down MLB who can cover TEs and RBs, roam from sideline to sideline and still be in a position to make plays other MLBs can't. Assuming you are able to accomplish this, you still need to (hopefully) find Mitchell's replacement, get run stuffing NT who can at least make you honor his presence as a pass rusher and look into Williams' future replacement.
I could see this draft being very defense heavy.

 

[Hines57]

Agreed. I saw Shazier miss quite a few tackles with his speed whiff.

The D was definitely not solid before Shazier got hurt. We could not stop the run. Our D Line is good at getting to the QB but they do not contain well. This includes 48

 

[antdrewjosh]

To see Shazier Value just remember the screen pass to Yeldon in the playoffs against the jags. Fort read that play beautifully but physically just couldnt get there to make the tackle. If Shazier reads that play with his speed he makes that tackle and the Jags punt.. it was a huge play.

 

[antdrewjosh]

The D was definitely not solid before Shazier got hurt. We could not stop the run. Our D Line is good at getting to the QB but they do not contain well. This includes 48

We had two bad games vs the run. Jags and Bears. 2 out of 11 games that he played.

 

[Drink IRON City]

ILB / S / NT, these three could be interchanged depending on the FA acusitions. S & NT will probably come in the draft but ILB I'm hoping for a FA that is a proven with starter experience. Possible add ILB in draft or BPA.




Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

ILB / S / NT, these three could be interchanged depending on the FA acusitions. S & NT will probably come in the draft but ILB I'm hoping for a FA that is a proven with starter experience. Possible add ILB in draft or BPA.



Salute the nation

Dont forget RB (backup), WR, possibly a OLBer, and a T. Really enough depth possibilities that there should be no problem going BPA.

 

[Litos]

And yet, he was more the reason that the defense was anywhere near as good as it was rather than the biggest liability. In this draft/FA period you need to replace a three down MLB who can cover TEs and RBs, roam from sideline to sideline and still be in a position to make plays other MLBs can't. Assuming you are able to accomplish this, you still need to (hopefully) find Mitchell's replacement, get run stuffing NT who can at least make you honor his presence as a pass rusher and look into Williams' future replacement.
I could see this draft being very defense heavy.

the problem is that there'll be no ILB available at 1.28 that can be all that, so as you say maybe FA is the direction to go and use the 1st rounder in any other needs, Safety, OLB (Dupree shouldn't get that 5th year option, even NT if Vea is available though that would probably happen only if we change to a 4-3 front.