The Nickel and Dime defense. Better players are needed.

[Coach]

Usually, the offense is ahead of the defense until the defense adapts.

With the rules favoring passing, most teams are playing more nickel and dime. The Steelers are one of these teams.

This means scheme flexible players that can stay on the field as either pass rusher or coverage people are in demand.

We can use a better DL player for the nickel or dime in our 4 man rush or base run defense, and we can use bigger and faster outside corner in these base defenses as well.

We are all set with cover linebackers, and slot guys!

So for me, the draft is DT, CB, S....players who can contribute and add.

The traditional 3-4 NT, OLB who can't cover well, and safety who's a better hitter than coverage man has less value these days.

Agree or disagree?

I still like Jackson the III in round one and the best DT who can make plays vs the run or pass or a pass rusher in round two ( perhaps Butler, or Nassib )

 

[SteelerFan448]

I was just thinking this as McLendon signed with the Jets. If the Steelers are going to run out of the nickel most of the time, get another defensive lineman who can contribute. Get a pass-rush specialist, even if he lets up against the run. Add another hybrid safety who can play in the box as an extra linebacker, but is capable of dropping into coverage.

 

[F83]

Cravens would be ideal if we are hybrid going back and forth between 3-4, 4-2-5, 3-3-5 and 4-2-3(where a guy like Cravens can be at mlb and then suddenly jump into coverage vs a spread set of 4-5 wide.

 

[Steel Ballin]

Holy **** does this D need some help......DE...DT....CB...SS....ILB....OLB... Good grief.

 

[bmoritz]

I don't think Nassib is big enough to play NT.