The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a number of new faces along the defensive line in the 2023 offseason, perhaps most notably 2023 second-round pick, Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin. With Benton, Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi projected as the day-one starters for the Steelers next year, the team should feel confident in their starting unit. From there, there are a number of questions as to who will make the 53-man roster in August and who will be aiming for a spot on the practice squad.
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New Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton is a perfect example of the team's model of getting back to the trenches.
With an especially deep group of defensive linemen on the roster, it may be possible that the Steelers keep as many as seven players at the positional group in 2023. However, the more realistic number is six, leaving Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff with some tough decisions to make. In addition to the projected starters next year, second-year player, DeMarvin Leal is also a safe bet to make the team due to his impressive play in 2022 in limited action.
During his rookie season, Leal played both defensive end and an "outside linebacker" of sorts in specific defensive formations. At 290 pounds, he may provide the Steelers' flexibility along the defensive line and as an edge rusher next season.
With the top four all but locked up, it will come down to Montravius Adams, Breiden Fehoko, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Marshall and Armon Watts for the remaining two spots. Each player brings a unique skill set to the table. Ultimately, their level of play in training camp as well as the preseason will be the ultimate determining factor for whether or not they will be in Pittsburgh in 2023.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers DeMarvin Leal could be part of a trend of players blending between outside linebacker and defensive lineman.
Steelers Nose Tackle: Which Players Will Be The Primary Run Stuffers?
Benton is projected to be the starter at nose tackle in 2023. From there, it may be a battle between Adams and Fehoko for the backup role. Watts also has experience playing nose tackle, but with his quickness off the ball and strength in rushing the passer, the team may view him more as a defensive end. Adams was the primary nose tackle in 2022 for the Steelers and played admirably. While he only recorded 12 total tackles and had zero sacks, he was durable enough to play in all 17 games.
Fehoko was signed by the Steelers after spending his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Fehoko will undoubtedly be viewed as a nose tackle, which may make him vulnerable to not making the team due to his lack of versatility. However, as the team has reiterated constantly over the past few seasons, there has been an organizational commitment to stopping the run.
Fehoko could absolutely help in this area. If he can prove his worth in drawing double teams from interior defensive linemen in the preseason, he may be a viable candidate to be with the Steelers in 2023.
Ty Nowell / Los Angeles Chargers
New Steelers' NT, Breiden Fehoko May Have A Strong Chance Of Making The 53-Man Roster
Defensive End: Who Will Be The Primary Backups For Heyward And Ogunjobi?
Defensive end is a bit more tricky to predict as the team has a number of quality players at the position to play behind Heyward and Ogunjobi in 2023. As mentioned previously, Leal has a very good shot at making the team. This leaves Loudermilk, Marshall and Watts fighting for one spot on the active roster at defensive end.
Loudermilk is entering his third season with the Steelers. Originally a fifth-round pick in 2021, he has yet to make a significant impact on the defense over the course of his young career. In 2022, Loudermilk appeared in 11 games and was a healthy inactive for many of the games in which he did not play. He is certainly not a lock to make the team in 2023 and will need a strong showing in the preseason to solidify his belonging on an NFL roster.
Marshall was signed to the Steelers' 53-man roster from the New York Jets practice squad in December of 2022 after a season-ending injury to Chris Wormley. A sixth-round pick out of Arkansas in 2021, he boasts impressive size at 6'3" and 310 pounds. He failed to make an appearance with the Steelers last season, but could be an interesting name to keep an eye on.
Lastly, Watts was signed by the Steelers after the 2022 season after spending time with both the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. He has played in 50 games over the course of the last three seasons, including 21 starts. He has eight career sacks to go along with seven tackles for loss. For this reason, many believe Watts is the front-runner to be the primary backup at defensive end. His NFL experience will certainly give him an upper hand. Do not be surprised if Watts plays a meaningful role for the defense in 2023.
Michael Greaves - USA Today
Steeler's new DT, Armon Watts, while with the Chicago Bears
Roster Prediction
As of now, the top six defensive linemen going in to next season may be Heyward, Benton, Ogunjobi, Leal, Watts, and Fehoko. This leaves Adams, Loudermilk and Marshall off the roster, assuming the Steelers keep six players at the position. All three players may be logical candidates to have on the team's practice squad.
What are Yinz thoughts on the Steelers' depth at defensive line? Would you like to see the team add another player before training camp starts? Leave a comment!
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