Former Steelers LB Arthur Moats Has A 2023 Mid-Draft Steal With Ties to Pittsburgh

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats recently broke down some film on linebacker Nick Herbig. Herbig’s older brother Nate Herbig is an offensive guard recently signed by the Steelers. 

During his meet-and-greet press conference, Nate even gave a bit of a plug for his brother, saying if there is one guy he can't block, it is Nick Herbig. 

Now Moats, via his podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience, is also suggesting that the Steelers consider the younger Herbig in the 2023 Draft. 

“When I cut the tape, the first thing that jumped off was the athleticism, the speed rush, active hands – he gets after the quarterback. I think he has a really good natural bend to his game. He is a thinner body type, he’s not built like a prototypical outside linebacker, but when you watch him, he does some of everything – can drop into coverage. He’s crafty in terms of how he takes on backs when the run is at him, versus when the run moves away." 

He admits that he let his first impressions and the fact that he wasn't playing for a college that is a powerhouse fool him. 

"He’s chasing everything down a little like TJ [Watt] out there. You’re like, ‘Bro, you better block him, somebody needs to chip this dude,’ he’s going to tackle this every single time, that’s ultimately what he does. I think that Nick is versatile, I was surprised to see him be that athletic, I was not anticipating the speed element. I mean his brother is a little thicker and he played at Wisconsin, so I was like alright he’s just gonna be a run-stopper.”

If there is any position Moats is qualified to assess, it is linebacker as he spent his career playing that position. Now as a student of the game, he talks frequently about how the linebacker position is evolving. He said despite how the role of the linebacker is morphing, he was still surprised by Nick's athleticism.  

“The surprise factor caught me off guard. He’s polished too when you’re talking about his pass-rush ability, that’s different than when we are talking about some of these other guys like Nolan Smith. I think Nolan wins through speed, power and outworking guys, but when you’re talking about a repertoire of actual moves and knowing how to set stuff up, I think Nick is better at that.” 

The Steelers Could Get A Steal With Herbig In Mid-Draft

The Steelers are still working on building depth at several key positions and Moats thinks the younger Herbig will be available just where we need him to be. 

“I think he’s one of them dudes you can get middle rounds too, you don’t have to spend the 32nd pick on him. When we were talking about a third rusher, that is the type of dude you could be looking for, that’s going to be cheap.” 

Is There Something In The Water In Wisconsin?

Moats says the thing that surprised him the most was that Nick makes the same move as TJ Watt. 

“The funny thing is this – he does the same rush moves as TJ. Oh my God! I saw my man hit it with an, ‘I’m gonna bull you, nope, I’m a flash and dip.’ I said, ‘Bro, that’s the TJ, that’s the same move!’ It must be Wisconsin state, I never learned that move coming out. It’s the Watt Wisconsin, ‘I’m gonna show you this and I’m going to woosah, take it away.'” 

“It’s a strong possibility the Steelers like the guy. I like it. In our defense, you got to drop into coverage. I thought he was one of those guys that was still a lot more fluid in his drops, when he was in a pedal, when he was having to do some of the coverage stuff. He didn’t do a ton of it, but I thought he looked more comfortable in contrast to some of these other guys we talk about.” 

The Steelers do love that family connection. Do you think they will go after Nick Herbig? How do you feel Nick will perform in the NFL? Click to comment below. 

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