When Tyson Alualu did an about face and re-signed with the Steelers after initially agreeing to a deal with the Jaguars, it was a big deal for the team.
The Steelers, thinking they had lost Alualu, had already re-signed Chris Wormley. So, with Alualu coming back, they have their entire defensive line group back from a year ago. That group, of course, is led by All-Pro Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, giving the Steelers two high-level players in the interior. But Alualu is coming off a strong year and young players such as Isaiah Buggs, Henry Mondeaux and Carlos Davis provide depth along with Wormley.
The Steelers could stand to continue to add young talent to that group, but given the state of this year's draft at the position, it might not be a bad thing for that not to be a need. Taking adding a draft pick on the defensive line off the to-do list -- at least early -- was probably a good thing for the Steelers.
This draft might be the weakest draft since at least 2017 when it come to finding defensive line help. That year, only Malik McDowell was taken in the first round by the Seahawks, while Dalvin Tomlinson (Giants) was the only defensive tackle taken in the second round.
We could definitely see something similar in this year's draft, which will be held April 29 through May 1.
Alabama's Christian Barmore and Washington's Levi Owunzurike are considered the top two interior line prospects and it wouldn't be surprising if neither is taken in the first round of the draft.
"It's probably one of the worst defensive tackle groups that we've had in the last decade," said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. "It's just not very good. I think there's a good chance we don't see a defensive tackle go in the first round. I would say just talking to people around the league, Christian Barmore is probably the one who's got a chance. I like Levi Onwuzurike from Washington, but when it's all said and done, I think he goes in the second round. So it's not a great year for defensive tackles."
How bad is this group? Barmore was a part-time player last season at Alabama, averaging about 40 snaps per game in 2020 after getting about 25 snaps per game in 2019.
Now, had he been at another school, he likely would have played more, but the fact remains he's largely an unknown. The same could be said of Onwuzurike, who opted out of playing in 2020.
The better value might be passing on some higher-rated talents and looking deeper for defensive line help.
Milton Williams of Louisiana Tech is one of the more interesting prospects there. The 6-3, 284-pound Williams blew up his pro day, running a reported 4.62-second 40-yard dash while showing off a 39-inch vertical jump, 10-1 on his broad jump and 6.87 seconds in the three-cone drill. He did 34 reps on the bench press, as well.
"I've talked to some people around the league and they're intrigued with him," said NFL analyst Greg Cosell. "He's really athletic. But there was a feeling he wasn't used right, especially last season."
Despite that issue, Williams had seven sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 2019 and six sacks and four quarterback hits in 2020.
Williams is a name to know on draft day.
Pitt's Jaylen Twyman might be the polar opposite of Williams. While he opted out in 2020, he had outstanding production in 2019, recording 10.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss.
But his pro day, outside of doing 40 reps on the bench press, was less than impressive.
Still, there's a lot to be said for production. And Twyman should hear his name called in the middle rounds.
Lolley's Defensive Line Rankings
1. Christian Barmore, Alabama
2. Levi Onwuzuirke, Washington
3. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
4. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State
5. Alim McNeil, North Carolina State
6. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech
7. Jay Tufele, USC
8. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
9. Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
10. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
Also See
Lolley's Edge Rusher Rankings
Lolley's Wide Receiver Rankings
Lolley's Quarterback Rankings
