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The Steelers’ fourth-round selection of Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer was one of the biggest steals of the draft — but whether or not it was the right move is an entirely different story. Here is Pittsburgh's grade for acquiring the talented edge rusher.
Sawyer is an athletic specimen on defense, combining excellent play recognition and power that translates exceptionally well against the run — which is why many regarded him as a consensus second-round pick.
The Ohio State Buckeye tied it all together in 2024 as an edge rusher, racking up nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, 38 QB hurries, and three forced fumbles. The most famous example of his exceptional play last season was his strip-sack of Texas QB Quinn Ewers and subsequent 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown — which sent his team to the CFB championship.
If there were any gripes about the pick, it would have to be that he will be buried behind already talented OLBs in Pittsburgh — such as T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
As time went on, however, spending a fourth-round pick on Sawyer over Shedeur Sanders, who would fall to the Browns, made far more sense — as Ohio State Buckeye and 2024 CFB champion QB Will Howard was drafted in the sixth round.
Although the Steelers arguably didn't need to draft Sawyer, it appears Pittsburgh is readying for life after T.J. Watt — which makes the move a whole lot easier to process now, earning an A grade overall.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Grading Steelers' Day 3 selection of Jack Sawyer
Continue reading...
Sawyer is an athletic specimen on defense, combining excellent play recognition and power that translates exceptionally well against the run — which is why many regarded him as a consensus second-round pick.
The Ohio State Buckeye tied it all together in 2024 as an edge rusher, racking up nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, 38 QB hurries, and three forced fumbles. The most famous example of his exceptional play last season was his strip-sack of Texas QB Quinn Ewers and subsequent 83-yard fumble return for a touchdown — which sent his team to the CFB championship.
If there were any gripes about the pick, it would have to be that he will be buried behind already talented OLBs in Pittsburgh — such as T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
As time went on, however, spending a fourth-round pick on Sawyer over Shedeur Sanders, who would fall to the Browns, made far more sense — as Ohio State Buckeye and 2024 CFB champion QB Will Howard was drafted in the sixth round.
Although the Steelers arguably didn't need to draft Sawyer, it appears Pittsburgh is readying for life after T.J. Watt — which makes the move a whole lot easier to process now, earning an A grade overall.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Grading Steelers' Day 3 selection of Jack Sawyer
Continue reading...
