At this point in the NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to solidify and add depth to their roster. The Steelers main focus in this draft has been to address the weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball.
The Steelers drafted defensive tackle Leterrius Walton with the No. 199 overall pick. Walton played four seasons for Central Michigan. In 2013 he started all 12 games at defensive tackle accumulating 34 tackles and led the team with 9.5 tackles for loss.
In 2014 Walton once again started all 12 games during which he accumulated 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and demonstrated some ability to get after the passer with six quarterback hurries and two sacks. Hs 2014 season was good enough to earn him a spot on the First Team All-MAC squad.
Walton definitely brings size to the position he’s 6-foot-5 inches and weighs 319 pounds. The only knocks on him are his struggles at getting to the passer and his overall play can be very inconsistent.
With their compensatory pick in the sixth round the Steelers selected Anthony Chickillo. Chickillo played college ball for the Miami Hurricanes. He is a very durable player at one point in his college career he made 34 consecutive starts at the defensive end position.
As a sophomore Chickillo had one of his better seasons. He started in all 12 games and played well enough to earn an All-ACC honorable mention. During the 2012 season he registered 45 tackles and four sacks. He followed that season up with a solid 2013 season where he tallied 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks. In his senior season he racked up 41 tackles and three sacks.
Chickillo is praised by many scouts as a technically sound player but the knocks on him is his size and that his college career plateaued. Chickillo is the classic in between player at 6-foot-3 inches, 267 pounds, he’s too big for a linebacker but too small for a defensive lineman.
Both players add youth and depth to a defensive line that is young and has a lot of potential.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
