Arthur Moats Studies LB's The Steelers Should Have On Their Radar For The 2023 NFL Draft

One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' needs this off-season is to find a true number-one linebacker. With Myles Jack not playing up to expectations in 2022 and the likelihood that Devin Bush will be leaving, it's time to think about the future. Former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats discussed on his podcast The Arthur Moats Experience some of the potential replacements we could see in the first two days of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The first player Moats looked at was Drew Sanders from Arkansas. Sanders is listed as 6'5" and 233 lbs. Moats draws a comparison to that of safety. Stat wise, Sanders put up 103 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. When watching the film on Sanders, you will notice that he is a guy that likes to move around and get to the ball. The 9.5 sacks for a linebacker is a big testament to how Sanders likes to play football. On the podcast, Moats had this to say about Sanders:

"He is a super productive, rangy, athletic, very very versatile, sideline-to-sideline linebacker or football player." Moats then said, "I think he has a natural nose for the ball, especially in the run game." He goes on to say, "He can cover any running back that you throw out there and can cover any tight end zone to zone."

Trenton Simpson out of Clemson was the next guy Moats took a look at. Simpson measures in at 6'3", 240 lbs. He had 73 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 2022. When you take a look at what Simpson can do, you notice that he is very flexible in the linebacker position, but Moats states that he isn't sure if he can play as a linebacker in the NFL. He also states that he is not sure if he could fit in on the Steelers' scheme. Some of the positives that Moats had to say:

"He does a good job shedding on the perimeter and he has positional flexibility." Moats also states that, "When you watch his game, they use him as a spy sometimes, he was elite with that and how he can close to the football." He then goes on with, "When watching him, he gives me JOK (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) vibes."

Simpson is a linebacker that is already high on the rankings for most draft boards and could be a day-one selection. The biggest takeaway that Moats had when looking at him is that he should be listed as an athlete instead of a linebacker. If all of the talent is there and the Steelers have a vision of what they could do with him, maybe we see him in Pittsburgh.

The last player that Moats took a look at was Jack Campbell from Iowa. Campbell's measurables are 6'5", 246 lbs. In 2022, Campbell had 125 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions. Campbell is an old-school, hard-nosed linebacker. He flies around and hits you like a bowling ball. When watching him you get a playstyle of Robert Spillane but as a bigger, faster, and better player. Moats was very excited for Campbell as he said:

"He is your true, throwback, inside linebacker." Moats then says, "He plays with heavy hands." As well as said, "He is highly productive against the run, whether it is at him, or when you are trying to run away from him." Moats also states, "He has that old-school body type." He wraps up by saying, "He would definitely be a guy that fits here, he brings that Steeler vibe."

No matter what happens during the draft or this free agency, it seems that the linebacker position is something that will be on the agenda. With the possibility of Bush being gone and no superstar linebacker, do you think it is a position to address?

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do the Steelers look to the draft for linebacker help, or rely on free agency? Let me know in the comments below!

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