Steelers Hosted Premier Pass Rush Prospect On Friday; Possible 2nd Round Selection

The Pittsburgh Steelers have held a Top-30 visit with one of the most physically impressive prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft Class, Felix Anudike-Uzomah. A defensive end during his time at Kansas State, Anudike-Uzomah projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. With TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith as the only outside linebackers who will absolutely be on the roster next season, the Steelers are in desperate need of depth at pass rusher. 

Anudike-Uzomah would be the perfect complement to both of these players. However, with his draft stock rising, the Steelers may need to spend one of their top two picks in order to land him. 

The Perfect Build For A Steelers' OLB

Anudike-Uzomah could not fit the mold of a 3-4 outside linebacker any better. At 6'3" and 250 pounds, he is an absolute freak of nature who has incredible quickness off the ball and a high motor that helped him compile 20.5 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss during his time at Kansas State. He will almost certainly have to improve his pass coverage and edge-setting ability, but his knack for getting to the quarterback will allow for him to be an early Day-Two selection at the 2023 NFL Draft. Fortunately, the Steelers currently possess the first overall selection in the second-round thanks to a trade with the Chicago Bears during this past season. 

With the lack of free agent moves at pass rusher this offseason, the natural assumption is that Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office are coveting the crop of outside linebackers in this year's class. The team has already reportedly had Top-30 visits with fellow edge rushers, Tuli Tuipulotu from USC, and Robert Beal from Georgia. The Steelers have also shown interest in Iowa's Lukas Van Ness. Needless to say, the Steelers seem to be banking on finding their backup pass rusher to Watt and Highsmith via the 2023 NFL Draft. The team has already missed out on reuniting with Bud Dupree and released Jamir Jones earlier this week. 

There are certainly other positions of need that the Steelers may be better off addressing early in the draft, such as left tackle and cornerback. However, if there happens to be a quality edge rusher available with either of their second-round selections, the team may have to seriously consider adding a player such as Felix Anudike-Uzomah. 

If the 2022 season taught the organization one thing, it would perhaps be that it is never a bad thing to have a backup plan at outside linebacker. Omar Khan learned this lesson. Malik Reed-type players are not going to cut it anymore. 

Less Than Two Weeks Until The 2023 NFL Draft, Steeler Nation! 

There is no denying that this is one of the most exciting times for Steelers' fans as the team begins to narrow down who they might add on April 27th-29th. While it is nearly impossible to predict what Omar Khan might do on, it is a fairly safe assumption that he will add at least one pass rusher. 

Where the Steelers end up selecting this player is up for debate. However, if the team does want to address the question of who will serve as the OLB3 early in the process, there may be no better option than Anudike-Uzomah. He may just be exactly what the Steelers' defense needs to help them regain their title of one of the best in the entire NFL. 

How do you feel about the idea of adding Felix Anudike-Uzomah as the team's third pass rusher? Where do you predict he will land during the 2023 NFL Draft. What other prospects do you hope the Steelers add? Leave a comment! 

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