The Steelers couldn’t pass on OLB Jack Sawyer when he was on the board in the fourth round, even if he wasn’t a need. They have a very strong three-man package of edge rushers already, and they had limited draft picks. But there are some things that they covet, and that includes the undefinable traits that you can’t coach or measure. This guys has all of that in droves, they believe.
“This guy right here is really good. Tough. Unbelievable intangibles, football character”, DC Teryl Austin said of Jack Sawyer, via the Steelers’ website. “He also has a knack for making plays when they’re needed. You see him make a lot of big plays at crunch time, which tells me he’s gonna to be the type of guy that shows up when you need him, when plays are needed. Really, just unbelievable across the board. No holes in terms of who he is and what he’s about, and I think he’ll fit in nicely in our room”.
The highlight play of Sawyer’s college career, of course, was his scoop-and-score touchdown against Texas in the College Football Playoffs. He actually scored two touchdowns off fumble recoveries at Ohio State, but if you know the play, you know. And if you know the Steelers, you know exactly what they’re thinking.
For the bulk of his career, T.J. Watt has been the timely finisher for the Steelers. Now, he is on the wrong side of 30, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is winding down. He won’t play forever, though, so restocking the cupboard is never a bad idea. And if Jack Sawyer can offer some of that intangible, instinctual playmaking, all the better.
One area in which Sawyer really stepped up his game last season was as a pass rusher. Now, he still only finished with nine sacks on the year, 23 for his four-year college career. But at Ohio State, he couldn’t just pin his ears back and rush. He is also strong against the run, which has a lot to do with why he’s with the Steelers.
Of course, he isn’t coming in with anything being handed to him. He is on the bottom of the depth chart right now, and that includes Jeremiah Moon. Moon is an established special teamer, and while the Steelers expect Jack Sawyer to prove his worth there as well, seeing is believing.
After that, he can begin to worry about the rest. As a rookie in 2023, Nick Herbig carved a role out for himself on special teams and is now a rotational feature on defense alongside Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Steelers would welcome Sawyer in a four-man rotation, but he has to earn his keep first.
