The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that had several holes to fill this season. Under the guidance of Kevin Colbert, the team navigated expertly during the off-season. Contracts such as Mitch Trubisky, James Daniels, Mason Cole and Levi Wallace gave the team the flexibility and experience they did not have after the main season of 2021.
The moves did not end when Omar Khan took over as Colbert’s general manager (GM). Khan signed a new 5-year contract with Minkah Fitzpatrick and most recently a one-year contract with defense team Larry Ogunjob.
What did the Steelers get in Ogunjob? For a better look at the X and O of the Ogunjob game, see the BTSC Kevin Smith Movie Room article below:
In addition to what he brings to the Ogunjobi team on the field, he also gives a grueling blow to some of the players who competed in the defensive line for the last place on the list. Steelers’ defensive line is full of players, but there is no quality starting depth due to the retirement of Stephon Tuitti. Sure, Chris Wormley performed admirably last season, but he’s far from what the team needs for a position in terms of rotational depth.
The effects of Ogunjob are most felt here. Because Ogunjobi can turn to the defensive line, it saves players like Tyson Alualu and Cam Heyward from playing most snaps. Instead, the line can stay fresh without seeing a drastic drop in talent on the field.
But who makes up the team and who looks on when the list cut is announced at the end of the pre-season? When Ogunjobi is on the team, the first question everyone has to answer is how many defensive players the team keeps on the 53-member list.
For the sake of this exercise, let’s assume that the Steelers retain seven line of defense in 2022. Let’s see who the locks are for forming a team and who’s left out.
Locks
Cam Heyward – The defense captain does not need an explanation.
Tyson Alualu – An aging line of defense still adds value.
DeMarvin Leal – You’re not making the 3rd lap draft.
Isaiahh Loudermilk – The Steelers were traded to get their 2021 NFL draft and gave it an excellent stop value last year. In 2022, hope is a big leap.
Montravius Adams – Having just signed a two-year contract, it is very unlikely that the team will break up with Adams.
Larry Ogunjobi – Unless he is healthy, which the team would not have signed with him, Ogujob will have a role in the team this year.
Chris Wormley – With one year left in the contract, Wormley appears to be a valuable asset in defense. But if there was a player who could be moved, I have a feeling it could be Wormley.
Do the simple math above. There are seven defenders and a pretty solid group of line players, all of whom can rotate according to the situation. Easy: The Steelers left the closet last season, hoping for players like Loudermilk as a newcomer and Isaiah Buggs, and now had to make difficult decisions for the players.
Left out
Carlos Davis – Davis showed some promise as a beginner, but in 2021, injured, he is looking from the outside. Unless there is a change or injury, Davis may be on the way out or rely on an assignment team.
Khalil Davis – Carlos’ brother hasn’t played for the Steelers yet, but finds himself on the list of people with little success outside of the training team.
Henry Mondeaux – Mondeaux is the guy who always seems to hold on. I see it happening again in 2022, but I think it will happen for the second year in a row on the training team.
Daniel Archibong – The best option is to be on the practice team.
Donovan Jeter – The best option is to be on the practice team.
Steelers has a good problem with the line of defense. It is better if there are too many, if not enough, but this does not make the decision-making process easier. As I said earlier in the article, injuries happen, and in that case, there’s probably the next man like Carlos Davis. However, if the team decides to stay put, they will definitely have a hard time making decisions.
What do you think? Who stays and goes? If there was a surprise cut / exchange, who would it be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and be sure to keep up to date with the BTSC to get the latest news and notes around the team as they prepare for their first post-2019 training camp at Saint Vincent College.
#signing #Larry #Ogunjobs #contract #Steelers #face #difficult #decisions #defensive #line