The releasing of James Harrison wasn’t exactly something that the Steelers wanted to do, but more or less something they had to do. Harrison was getting up there in age and his production over the years has diminished. He was set to make 6.570 million in 2013, and by cutting him that saved the Steelers a little over five million in cap space. Cap space was something that the Steelers desperately needed; after restructuring several players’ contracts the Steelers were barely under the cap, so they had to make this move in order to have room to sign their free-agents and the incoming rookie class.
This leaves the starting role to Jason Worlids who produced decent numbers last year in the limited role he played. But it almost seems like the Steelers didn’t have the faith in him to be the starter, hence them trying to get Harrison to take the pay cut to stick around for one more year. The Steelers needed some help before this at outside linebacker going into the draft; now after making this move; it presumably becomes their number one need. Luckily for them the 2013 draft is very deep at the outside linebacker position. Here is a look at some of the players the Steelers could look at taking in the first or second round.
Dion Jordan has been sky-rocketing up draft boards, and is seen as the number one outside linebacker by many scouts. He has the speed and strength to thrive in the NFL and is most likely going to be a top 10 pick. At the NFL combine he ran a 4.60 second 40-yard dash, had a 10 foot 2 inch broad jump, and his vertical jump was 32.5 inches. Scouts say that’s the most impressive job that he could of done, and he did nothing but help his draft stock. Even though it’s doubtful that he is there at 18; if he was thought it could be considered the steal of the draft.
Jarvis Jones out of Georgia was at the top of many rankings before rumblings of a spinal condition came about. So hearing about that injury many scouts and General Managers might stay away from him. This works to the Steelers’ advantage. The proof is in the tape, and this guy is playmaker and came up big in big games for Georgia. Jones decided to not workout at the combine and instead will focus on his pro-day. If he is there at pick 18 I don’t see the Steelers picking anybody else.
Barkevious Mingo from Louisiana State University is another outstanding pass-rusher with speed and strength. He ran faster than Jordan with a 4.58, and he stood out as a leader in most of the other drills as well at the combine. Mingo’s vertical leap was 37 inches and his broad jump was 10 feet 8 inches. There is a chance that he could go top 10 just like the two players I mentioned before him, but the draft sees crazy things, so he is another option for the Steelers
Ziggy Ansah is another guy with raw talent from BYU. Ansah has only played football for a few years, which reminds you of Jason Pierre-Paul who is now terrorizing quarterbacks in every NFL city. Just like the rest of the players with a first round grade, he has speed and raw ability to get to the passer and cover if need be. He ran a 4.63 forty, with a 34.5 inch vertical, and a broad jump of 118 inches. Again he is another strong possibility if he is there when the Steelers make their first selection.
It would be hard to believe that all these guys would be gone by the time the Steelers made their pick, but if they are the Steelers might wait until the next couple of rounds to make their selection of an outside linebacker. Some outside linebackers that are getting second and third round grades are: Khaseem Greene from Rutgers, Arthur Brown out of Kansas State, from Stanford Chase Thomas, Trevardo Williams and Sio Moore from Connecticut, a Southern Miss product in Jamie Collins, and finally Brandon Jenkins from Florida State.
