The Pittsburgh Steelers tend to operate with one mentality every off-season; the Steelers don’t rebuild, they reload. Through the last two drafts, Steeler Nation has seen this with the ever-changing free agency market mixed with fitting hefty contract extensions within the salary cap requirements. Looking back at the last several off-seasons, we’ve seen the Steelers reward a key player with a contract extension going into September. This seems to leave that starting position presumably locked up for the foreseeable future. However, we are all too familiar with how valuable depth players are at any position.
Looking at the big contract that was awarded in 2021, it was TJ Watt who secured the 4-year, $112,011,000 extension just in time for the regular season. In turn, Watt had another incredible season and tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record total of 22.5 sacks. But as the Steelers entered the 2022 off-season, some would argue the edge/outside linebacker position was a considerable need going into the NFL Draft. Of course, there is Alex Highsmith lined up opposite of Watt, but beyond those two, we have Derrek Tuszka, second-year man Delontae Scott, longtime NFL veteran John Simon, and newly-acquired Genard Avery. With those names currently on the depth chart, I personally was expecting a late-round selection used on an edge player. But after the dust settled in Las Vegas, the Steelers never called a young edge prospect until the moments following the draft. In doing so, they may have been able to grab one of the favorites to find himself on the 53-man roster if he has a solid camp.
That potential backup to Watt and Highsmith is Tyree Johnson.
Photo via Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Lately, the Steelers have seemed to have a small love affair with how Texas A&M produces defensive players. They used their fourth round pick in 2021 on inside linebacker Buddy Johnson, their third round pick in 2022 on defensive end DeMarvin Leal, and signed [Tyree] Johnson as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2022 NFL Draft. Earlier this month, Johnson signed a three-year, $2.57M deal with a $10,000 signing bonus with the Steelers. For initially being projected as high as a sixth round selection, the Steelers may have stolen a steady rotational OLB in Johnson.
What does Johnson bring to the Steelers?
Johnson has the right traits to build on in his transition to the NFL. He has great explosiveness off the line and has a tremendous pass rush ability. He’s one of those ‘undersized defensive end, but oversized linebacker’ physiques, as he measures 6’4” and 240 pounds. Johnson has strong, fluid hips and can dip under offensive tackles to get into the backfield. Johnson proved he can disrupt opposing offenses in his final collegiate year by tying the team’s most sack totals in 2021 with 8.5 sacks on the season. Although Johnson doesn’t possess the ideal strength to take on and hold offensive linemen at the line, he’s effective at establishing the edge on outside run plays and screen plays. In the Steelers’ 3-4 defensive scheme, this will be critical in his transition out of college.
Where will the Steelers need to coach Johnson up?
Naturally, there is a variety of areas where Johnson will need to be coached up if he wants to take that next step. First is his coverage skills. Being used primarily as a true edge rusher in college, Johnson wasn’t asked to drop back into the flat a lot. The Steelers ask a lot from their linebackers and coverage abilities are a must in Pittsburgh. Next are Johnson’s motor and stamina mixed with his technique. Johnson seems to lose his power later in games and doesn’t have much in the way of a strong suite of counters and moves to beat linemen. If an offensive tackle gets squared up on Johnson, he tends to have trouble shedding the block and getting past them. Further, if he’s coming from the backside, Johnson tends to lose a bit of urgency in getting to the ball carrier. Finally, Johnson’s rush defense will need to improve. He isn’t necessarily capable of taking on double teams and shedding blockers coming at him, which may lead to him getting run over on run plays. Needless to say, there are a lot of things Johnson will need to tune up in camp.
Considering the current Steelers’ depth chart behind Watt and Highsmith, I’d argue Johnson has one of the best chances to find himself on the final roster in 2022. He has all of the right tools to build on in his professional development as a 3-4 outside linebacker. With that said however, do not take this for Johnson to beat out Highsmith or Watt in any aspect; that is not a possibility. But I do see Johnson as being a steady rotational pass-rush specialist on select downs, similar to what we saw in the few games in 2021 with Melvin Ingram. The Steelers have all of the right pieces surrounding Johnson to groom him into a solid defensive depth piece.
Between Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach Brian Flores, Assistant Outside Linebackers Coach Denzel Martin, and maybe even Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbar to help with his rushing technique, Johnson is in a great position in Pittsburgh. Not to mention, he is able to sit behind and learn from the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year in Watt and a promising young defensive stud in Highsmith. Johnson is certainly one to watch throughout camp and don’t be surprised if he’s one of the bright spots in the preseason.
What do you think Johnson will bring to the defense? Which UDFA rookie do you think has the best shot to land on the final roster? Let us know in the comments below!
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