With the draft over, we’re reviewing the few Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft picks we didn’t previously have a report on. In this article, we’ll evaluate 6th round outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo.
#71 – Anthony Chickillo/ OLB Miami (FL): 6031, 267lbs
The Good
-Great motor, always running to the ball
-Explosive burst off the line
-Decent use of hands
-High effort guy, doesn’t give up – hungry for the football
-Strong upper body
-Athletic guy
-Plus Athlete
-Good short area quickness
The Bad
-Needs to develop more power and finesse moves, only has a bull rush
-Has trouble dealing with stronger offensive lineman, can get stood up and cannot disengage
-Lower body strength needs to increase
-Stiff hipped, minimal to no bend
-Lacks speed
-No experience in coverage
-Needs to work on improve his hand fighting, not violent enough
Other
-Entered his freshman season as a backup before becoming a starter. After three games, he became a starter and would start the next 47 games through his senior year.
-Played in 50 games, started 47
-170 tackles (89 solos) with 15.5 sacks
-25 TFL for a loss of 118 yards
-14 QB pressures
-Recovered five fumbles, caused two, deflected five passes and blocked a field goal
-His father Tony Chickillo and grandfather Nick Chickillo both played at the University of Miami and in the NFL
Tape Breakdown
Watching film on Chickillo was tough. He was so misused at Miami. Played the five, the three and sometimes even the one. I didn’t see one instance of him in coverage or with him standing up. The Steelers intend on him shedding some weight and playing outside linebacker. I saw little evidence of this transition being anything but very difficult for the Miami product. If you had to ask me, he’d be best suited in a 4-3 as a defensive end or to bulk him up and play the five.
One of Chickillo’s best assets is his motor. It’s always running and at top speed. Here are a few instances where you can appreciate his motor and his knack of getting to the football:
Playing end in the 4-3 here. Run play to his side and he can’t disengage from the blocker and is out-muscled to the ground. Need to get off blocks and make tackles if you want to make it in the NFL.
This is a play that really makes me believe he is meant on the defensive line. He has the shear strength to get through blockers and make plays. Love the high effort. His strength only works when he churns his feet too and gets his lower body working as well.
This is as good as it gets with Chickillo’s bend
His short area quickness is a plus. Kid gets off of the line quickly and when he beats his man he gets into another gear.
You can notice Chickillo’s quick get off compared to his teammates.
When he can’t disengage, he stops using his legs as continued leverage and he is then stood up. He also needs to improve on his hand fighting, his hands are not violent enough
After watching a couple games on Chickillo, I have now stepped down as President of the anti-Chickillo fan club. Although I still think his pick was the worst of the eight, it’s not his fault. In my opinion, he is meant to be a 4-3 defensive end or if molded correctly, a five tech.
He showed me no bend in his rush, no coverage experience and he only has one rushing move, the bull rush. As a successful outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, you must be able to do three things: rush the passer, stop the run, and be able to cover in space. With only one move and nearly no bend, rushing the passer would seem to be difficult for him. He could probably be used to stop the run; he has the size and strength to do so. He has no experience in coverage, so that’s another negative. If you were to ask me about Anthony Chickillo’s future, his success relies upon his system and used well in that system. I believe that he will lose the battle to Howard Jones for the fifth spot at outside linebacker if the Steelers choose to carry five. He will be stashed on the practice squad and I believe a 4-3 team will scoop him up.
Chance to make the 53: <5%
Games watched: 2015 East West Shrine Game, 2014 vs.Florida State, 2014 at Louisville
