Steelers Combine Preview: 3 Linebackers Who Could Provide A Powerful Punch For The 2024 Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several pressing needs on their roster heading into the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are preparing to attempt to duplicate the smashing success of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers found multiple starters, and except for Cory Trice Jr., who was injured in training camp, the entire draft class contributed to an AFC Wild Card berth.

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Khan and Weidl have their work cut out for them. The Steelers need to find additional help on the offensive line, defensive line, and in the secondary. Pittsburgh is also rumored to seek a long-term quarterback answer, although that may come through free agency rather than the NFL Draft. An overlooked position of need that also has to be addressed is linebacker. 

The Steelers signed Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander, and Elandon Roberts as free agents in the 2023 offseason. Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin deployed them brilliantly until Holcomb and Alexander were lost for the season with their respective injuries. Roberts also battled injuries, but managed to play in 16 games for a depleted defense that had to turn to the retired Myles Jack down the stretch. The NFL Combine will feature the linebacker class on Thursday, February 29th, and here are three names that could end up in black and gold after the April draft.

Day 1 - Nobody

The sad reality of the current NFL is that inside linebackers, like running backs and centers, are rarely selected in the first round. The Detroit Lions selected Jack Campbell in the first round in 2023. Still, the reality is that only Payton Wilson, who is currently ranked as the 28th overall prospect on the Pro Football Focus NFL Draft Big Board, has a chance to be selected on day one. However, most online mock drafts do not have any linebackers in the first round. 

Day Two, Round Two - Junior Colson, Michigan Wolverines

The Steelers are projected to have the 52nd and 84th pick on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft. If they elect to address the inside linebacker position in the second round, the name to watch is Junior Colson. The inside linebacker from the National Championship winners has a lot of traits that would fit in the middle of the Pittsburgh defense that desperately needs to get younger.

Colson is only 21 years old and was a Second Team All-Big Ten linebacker and won the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He is excellent in pass coverage and is comfortable in zone and man coverage. Colson attacks the football in the run game, is a big hitter, and stops ball carriers in their tracks. An impressive 40-yard dash could elevate him and put him squarely in the crosshairs of Khan and Weidl in the second round.

Day Two, Round Three - Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Tigers

This is highly contingent on Jeremiah Trotter Jr. only running a fast 40-yard dash on Thursday. If Trotter puts up an eye-popping number, he could vault into the early second round of the April draft. He is the son of the former two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Jeremiah Trotter. The Steelers tapped Joey Porter Jr., son of former Steelers great, Joey Porter Sr., in the second round in 2023 and should seriously consider doing it again with Trotter. 

He does not have a direct link to the Steelers, but like Porter, he seems destined to be an impact NFL player. Trotter is excellent in coverage and is a freakish athlete. He occasionally takes bad angles in the run game, but Trotter has an impressive football IQ. If he is available as projected in the third round when the Steelers are on the clock, it is hard to imagine that Khan will pass him by.

Day Three - Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri Tigers

When you watch the film of Ty'Ron Hopper, there is one thing that is impossible to deny. He is in it constantly. Hopper is slightly undersized compared to Trotter and Colson at 6'2" and 221 pounds. He is not the hitter that Colson is or a freakish athlete like Trotter. Hopper is just always around the ball and finds a way to make a play. 

He is a two-time All-SEC Second Team linebacker who is really good in pass coverage. Hopper can sometimes be swallowed up by offensive linemen climbing to the second level and occasionally struggles to shed blocks. He is not a big hitter, but a willing tackler and was highly productive in college. Hopper needs to add 10 pounds without sacrificing speed to become a starter. Still, he will likely be available in the sixth round, where the Steelers have the 198th selection. 

If the Steelers pick Jackson Powers-Johnson in the first round like many fans want them to in two months, the best player available on day two could very well be an inside linebacker. Pittsburgh would probably get lambasted by the analytics crowd, but if they can add a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker in the middle of the defense on day two, they should. The NFL isn't counting imaginary points yet, but Cris Collinsworth's band of misfits at Pro Football Focus is probably working on it. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers pull the trigger if they can find their next great inside linebacker on day two? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.

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