We’re nearing the end of our 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers “what they look for” study. Examining historical trends and benchmarks to best predict who the team will target in the upcoming draft. Today, we’re checking out the EDGE rushers. As I have with past editions of this study, we’ve expanded the data we’re including in order to add a couple more names to our list and reflect the new draft world we’re in where many prospects do the bulk of their testing at their Pro Day, not the Combine.
“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, here are the EDGE rushers drafted in the Mike Tomlin era, 2007 to present.
2021: QUINCY ROCHE
Height: 6025
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 32 1/4″
Hand Size: 9 1/4″
40 Time: 4.69
10 Split: 1.69
Vert: 32.5″
Broad: 9’11”
Short Shuttle: 4.50
Three-Cone: 7.20
Bench: 23
2020: ALEX HIGHSMITH
Height: 6031
Weight: 248
Arm Length: 33 1/8″
Hand Size: 9 1/8″
40 Time: 4.70
10 Split: 1.68
Vert: 33″
Broad: 10’5″
Short Shuttle: 4.31
Three-Cone: 7.32
Bench: N/A
2019: SUTTON SMITH
Height: 6003
Weight: 233
Arm Length: 30 3/4″
Hand Size: 9″
40 Time: 4.69
10 Split: 1.72
Vert: 31.5″
Broad: 9’10”
Short Shuttle: 4.32
Three-Cone: 6.75
Bench: 25
2017: T.J. WATT
Height: 6042
Weight: 252
Arm Length: 33 1/8″
Hand Size: 11″
40 Time: 4.69
Ten Split: 1.59
Vert: 37″
Broad: 10’7″
Short Shuttle: 4.78
Three-Cone: 6.79
Bench: 21
KEION ADAMS
Height: 6020
Weight: 247
Arm Length: 33 1/4″
Hand Size: 9 1/2″
40 Time: N/A
Ten Split: N/A
Vert: 36″
Broad: 10’4″
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Bench: 27
2016: TRAVIS FEENEY
Height: 6035
Weight: 230
Arm Length: 33 3/8″
Hand Size: 9 1/2″
40 Time: 4.50
Ten Split: 1.58
Vertical: 40″
Broad: 10’1’0″
Short Shuttle: 4.42
Three-Cone: 7.20
Bench: N/A
2015: BUD DUPREE
Height: 6040
Weight: 260
Arm Length: 32 5/8″
Hand Size: 9 3/4″
40 Time: 4.56
Ten Split: 1.60
Vertical: 42″
Broad: 11’6″
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Bench: N/A
2013: JARVIS JONES
Height: 6023
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 33″
Hand Size: 9 1/8″
40 Time: N/A
Ten Split: N/A
Vertical: 30.5″
Broad: 9’3″
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Bench: 20
2011: CHRIS CARTER
Height: 6010
Weight: 248
Arm Length: 33″
Hand Size: 9 3/8″
40 Time: 4.67
Ten Split: 1.64
Vertical: 36″
Broad: 9’6″
Short Shuttle: 4.34
Three-Cone: 6.98
Bench: 27
2010: JASON WORILDS
Height: 6012
Weight: 254
Arm Length: 32 7/8″
Hand Size: 9 1/4″
40 Time: 4.72
Ten Split: 1.62
Vertical: 38″
Broad: 9’6″
Short Shuttle: 4.29
Three-Cone: 6.95
Bench: 24
THADDEUS GIBSON
Height: 6020
Weight: 243
Arm Length: 33″
Hand Size: 8 3/4″
40 Time: 4.79
Ten Split: 1.69
Vertical: 32″
Broad: 9’7″
Short Shuttle: 4.27
Three-Cone: 6.84
Bench: 32
2008: BRUCE DAVIS
Height: 6030
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 34 1/4″
Hand Size: 10 1/8″
40 Time: 4.50
Ten Split: 1.50
Vertical: 33.5″
Broad: 10’3″
Short Shuttle: 4.03
Three-Cone: 6.70
Bench: 19
2007: LAMARR WOODLEY
Height: 6014
Weight: 266
Arm Length: 32 7/8″
Hand Size: 9 7/8″
40 Time: N/A
Ten Split: N/A
Vertical: 38.5″
Broad: 9’9″
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Bench: 29
No EDGE rusher drafted last year – I’m counting DeMarvin Leal as a DL since that was the team’s initial plan – so our criteria remain the same:
Height: 6’1″+ (12 of 13 drafted)
Weight: 240 lbs.+ (11 of 13)
Arm Length: 32 1/2″ (11 of 13)
40 Time: 4.70 or better (8 of 10)
Ten Split: 1.70 (10 of 10)
Vertical: 32″+ (11 of 13)
Broad: 9’5″+ (13 of 14)
Short Shuttle: 4.5 (8 of 9)
Three-Cone: 7.20 (8 of 9)
Bench: 20+ (8 of 9)
And here is the one player who checked every box.
| Name/School | Height | Weight | Arm Length | Bench | 40 Time/Ten Split | Vert | Broad | SS | 3 Cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adetomiwa Adebawore/Northwestern | 6015 | 282 | 33 7/8 | 27 | 4.49/1.55 | 37.5 | 10’5″ | 4.26 | 7.13 |
Really surprised just one name checking every box. I expected at least 2-3 more. And this is an awkward fit in Adebawore, who really is more of an interior tackle than he is an EDGE rusher. But I expanded the list to include the possibilities of as many names as possible and he was the only one who hit all the benchmarks. He’s a sneaky first-round pick and won’t be in play for the Steelers.
Here are the players who missed in just one category.
One Box Away
Habakkuk Baldonado/Pitt: 40 Time (4.78)
Isaiah Foskey/Notre Dame: Three-Cone (7.28)
Thomas Incoom/Central Michigan: Vert (30.5)
Ochaun Mathis/Nebraska: 40 Time (4.74)
Byron Young/Tennessee: Short Shuttle (DNP)
Five names came very close to joining Adebawore on the top list. Foskey was viewed as a potential first rounder early in the pre-draft process but will wind up being a Day Two pick. Baldonado is a well-known name in Steelers circles but had a down 2022 season. Incoom is one of my favorites while Mathis is under the radar. Young had a great workout, though it isn’t always reflected in his testing and age is a concern.
Previous ‘Look For’ Studies
Cornerback
Offensive Tackle
Inside Linebacker
Safety
Wide Receiver
