The Steelers Still Hold a Trio Of Picks In The First 50 Selections Of The Draft, But Would This Pass Rusher Make Sense?

Welcome to the pre-draft season! Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up…

Steelers’ Draft Prospect: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE), Kansas State, Junior

OVERVIEW: While the Steelers do not necessarily have a dire, pressing need at the outside linebacker position heading into 2023, the position’s succession plan has yet to be established. We know T.J. Watt will be the anchor on the outside through 2025, but opposite of him remains a mystery. There is a good chance the Steelers won’t be able to afford the services of Alex Highsmith beyond his rookie contract that expires at the end of the 2023 season. Beyond Highsmith, there isn’t much of a successor at the outside linebacker position. Bud Dupree decided to sign on with the Atlanta Falcons after a miniature marathon auction for his services and the free agency talent pool is shrinking. As a result, this leads to a question mark on the depth chart heading into the draft.

There are clearly other areas to address before the outside linebacker position in the draft. However, the Steelers hold three picks within the first 50 selections. Therefore, they could walk away from the first two rounds with a trio of top-level talent. However, given their relatively unique 3-4 defensive scheme, it takes the right skillset to look for when prospecting the right fit in the Steelers’ defense. The Steelers seem to have been drawn to the talent coming out of Kansas State this year. They hosted cornerback Julius Brents at a Top 30 meeting earlier this month and welcomed another highly-sought after EDGE prospect last week. With the Dupree reunion hopes now extinguished, let’s get to know Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

PROS: Anudike-Uzomah brings an element of versatility to the outside EDGE position that coaches adore. He’s able to put his hand in the ground and line up as a defensive end, yet has the quickness to play that true outside linebacker we typically see within a 3-4 defense. He plays with tenacity, yet maintains top-level athleticism. Anudike-Uzomah can square up against offensive linemen and push them back into the backfield with his bull rush. Or, he can dip his shoulders below the out-stretched arms of offensive tackles and collapse the pocket.

Anudike-Uzomah plays with a sense of urgency and tenacity. He is quick to diagnose plays and force his way to his gap to stop the play before it starts. He’s a top-tier pass rusher on the outside and this is his biggest asset coming into the draft. He was a terror for offenses in the Big 12 conference and couldn’t be stopped. He played every down like it was his last and he maintained that high-motor mentality throughout each game.

In his time in college, Anudike-Uzomah was an elite pass rusher. In his past two seasons, he tallied 19.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles. Last year in his 2022 season, he earned third-team Associated Press All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Scouts have to appreciate the numbers he’s posted in only 27 games in college. This indicates he could have a higher ceiling than other prospects on the board.

CONS: While Anudike-Uzomah brings that high level of persistency and urgency to his game, this could lead to inconsistencies in his play. Going against bigger offensive linemen at the next level compared to what he saw in college, this could lead him to getting burnt out early in games. Anudike-Uzomah will need to find a way to maintain his motor while avoiding him getting exhausted in early reps and forcing him to rest every other play. Coaches and scouts need to consider his game discipline when determining how he’d be utilized within the defense.

Anudike-Uzomah’s rush defense is very suspect. His tenacious playstyle also leads to him getting beaten on misdirection plays and run plays. Although he’s able to break himself through the line and get into the backfield, his tackling at the point of attack needs improvement. He’s shown he’s able to get only so far, only to need reinforcements to help wrap up the ball carrier. His tackling technique will also need improvement at the next level with bigger, more physical running backs than what he saw in college.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Late Second Round to Early Third Round

There is no question of the ceiling Anudike-Uzomah has at the next level. But with that said, his “in-between’er” profile pigeonholes him in the type of defensive scheme that would be the best fit. However, I’d argue his ability to adapt his playstyle and commit to either a true EDGE rusher in a 3-4 scheme or defensive end in a 4-3 scheme is a trait scouts are highly considering. In a class featuring the likes of Will Anderson, Tyree Wilson, and Lukas Van Ness, Anudike-Uzomah will likely need to wait until the middle of the second day to hear his name called. He can be considered a solid day two prospect, specifically either later in the second round or early in the third.

VERDICT: For the sake of the Steelers, it goes back to their current depth at the outside linebacker position. They were able to re-acquire Quincy Roche in January, but that is really the only name on the depth chart behind Watt and Highsmith. To reiterate what I mentioned earlier, with Dupree's return to Pittsburgh no longer a possibility, the outside linebacker position has moved up significantly on the Steelers’ draft board. But with that said, they may need to do more homework on how they'd utilize Anudike-Uzomah.

Don’t get me wrong, Anudike-Uzomah is a great player. What he brings to the field each play is something that cannot be coached. Anudike-Uzomah’s motor, tenacity, and intensity are elements coaches look for in prospects who could find themselves starting early in their career. But with him playing that hybrid between an EDGE rusher and defensive end, it’ll take the Steelers to truly love him and commit themselves to implementing a firm role for Anudike-Uzomah in the defense for the pick to make sense. If they are able to do that, then there is no reason not to be happy if we hear Anudike-Uzomah’s name called at the 49th overall spot. 

However, if they use a pick within the top 50 of the draft on a possible “project,” that may spell disaster. The Steelers will need to solidify a role for Anudike-Uzomah to harness the most value of their earlier picks.

Where do you see Anudike-Uzomah going in April?  Would you want to see him in the black and gold?  Let us know in the comments!

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