This will be the final 2023 installment of our “what they look for” Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft study. We’ll finish things up with the defensive ends (not nose tackles) and see if historical trends can indicate who the team is most likely to target in 2023. As always, I’ll include my paragraph explaining how we’re collecting data differently this year compared to past seasons.
“There’s one other change too. In past years, I focused largely on Combine workout numbers, only using Pro Days for objective testing, things like vertical and broad jump in which two scouts wouldn’t have two different numbers like they could with a 40 time or three-cone. But given the rise in players simply opting out of Combine testing, especially the cones (short shuttle and three-cone), I am including those numbers in our criteria. I’m still only looking at prospects invited to the Combine but if they didn’t test at Indy, I will consider their Pro Day figures. It isn’t ideal, there’s more gray area here, but it’s the smart thing to do.”
With that said, the defensive ends drafted under Mike Tomlin, 2007 to present.
2022: DEMARVIN LEAL
Height: 6037
Weight: 284
Arm Length: 33 1/8
40: 5.00
Ten Split: 1.72
Bench: 17
Vert: 30.5
Broad: 9’2″
SS: 4.49
3C: 7.20
2021: ISAIAHH LOUDERMILK
Height: 6063
Weight: 274
Arm Length: 32 5/8″
40: 5.08
Ten Split: 1.71
Bench: 21
Vert: 28.5″
Broad: 9’4″
SS: 4.55
3C: 7.52
2019: ISAIAH BUGGS
Height: 6031
Weight: 306
Arm Length: 30 5/8″
40: 5.15
Ten Split: 1.81
Bench: 20
Vert: 24.5″
Broad: 8’0″
SS: 4.83
3C: 8.01
2015: L.T. WALTON
Height: 6050
Weight: 319
Arm Length: 32 1/4″
40: 5.25
Ten Split: 1.78
Bench: 25
Vert: 27″
Broad: 8’7”
SS: 4.78
3C: 7.91
2014: STEPHON TUITT
Height: 6054
Weight: 304
Arm Length: 34 3/4″
2013: NICK WILLIAMS
Height: 6040
Weight: 309
Arm Length: 34 1/8″
40: 4.94
Ten Split: 1.70
Bench: 28
Vert: 33″
Broad: 9’3″
SS: 4.65
3C: 7.55
2011: CAM HEYWARD
Height: 6050
Weight: 294
Arm Length: 34 1/4″
Vert: 30″
2010: DOUG WORTHINGTON
Height: 6051
Weight: 292
Bench: 19
Vert 35.5″
Broad: 10’1”
2009: ZIGGY HOOD
Height: 6027
Weight: 300
40: 4.97
Ten Split: 1.73
Bench: 36
Vert: 34.5″
Broad: 9’8”
SS; 4.55
3C: 7.5
SONNY HARRIS
Height: 6043
Weight: 298
40: 4.99 40
Ten Split: 1.82
Bench: 28
Vert: 25.5″
Broad: 8’10”
SS: 4.87
3C: 8.18
2007: RYAN MCBEAN
Height: 6040
Weight: 286
Arm Length: 33 1/2″
40: 5.05
Ten Split: 1.76
Bench: 27
Vert: 28″
Broad; 9’0”
SS: 4.46
3C: 7.79
With DeMarvin Leal added, the criteria changes some. It is:
Height: 6035+ (9 of 11)
Weight: 280+ (10 of 11)
40 Time: 5.15 (7 of 8)
Ten Split: 1.85 (7 of 7)
Arm Length: 32+ inches (7 of 8)
Bench: 20+ (8 of 9)
Vert: 27+ (9 of 10)
Broad: 8’5” (8 of 9)
3C: 8.00 (6 of 8)
SS: 4.85 (7 of 8)
The height benchmark has decreased from 6’4 to 6035, the weight benchmark from 290 to 280, and the three-cone benchmark has improved from 8.10 to 8.00. A sign of these guys getting smaller and faster.
The players who hit every box include:
| Name/School | Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 Time/Ten Split | Bench | Vert | Broad | SS | 3 Cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keeanu Benton/Wisconsin | 6036 | 309 | 33 7/8 | 5.08/1.74 | 25 | 29.5 | 9’3” | 4.65 | 7.34 |
| Gervon Dexter/Florida | 6055 | 318 | 32 1/4 | 4.88/1.70 | 22 | 31 | 9’2” | 4.70 | 7.65 |
| Zacch Pickens/South Carolina | 6037 | 298 | 34 3/8 | 4.89/1.67 | 22 | 30.5 | 9’8” | 4.62 | 7.45 |
When we did this study last year, zero players checked all the boxes though some of the adjustments helped guys like Benton and Pickens make it. Benton was brought in for a visit while the team seems to have some interest in Dexter, though his reported pre-draft visit next took place. Pickens is a guy who fits the Steelers’ scheme well but Pittsburgh has shown little interest in him.
Here are the players who missed in just one category.
One Box Away
Bryan Bressee/Clemson: Broad (DNP)
Moro Oromjo/Texas: Height (6025)
Jalen Redmond/Oklahoma: Height (6023)
Dante Stills/West Virginia: Height (6034)
Adetomiwa Adebawore/Northwestern: Height (6015)
Tyler Lacy/Oklahoma State: Weight (279)
Mike Morris/Michigan: Weight (275)
Had Bresee done the broad, you can basically guarantee he would’ve checked all the boxes. Oromjo is underrated, Redmond a great athlete; Stills missed checking every box by just 1/8 inch, and I threw in some of the players classified as EDGE rushers who could bulk up to play d-line. Tyler Lacy and Mike Morris are interesting names.
Previous ‘Look For’ Studies
Cornerback
Offensive Tackle
Inside Linebacker
Safety
Wide Receiver
EDGE Rushers
Interior O-Line
