11:39AM
MENU
Advertisement
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham
2
MORE

Could the Steelers draft an inside linebacker early?

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Could the Steelers draft an inside linebacker early?

The Steelers will tell you they have confidence in Vince Williams as the heir apparent to Lawrence Timmons at inside linebacker. And perhaps they do.

It’s also quite possible the Steelers believe they could use an upgrade at the position. Certainly there are signs pointing in that direction.

First, they tried to sign New England’s Dont’a Hightower in free agency. That failed. Now they’re bringing in two of the top inside linebackers in the NFL draft for visits on consecutive days.

Advertisement

One day after Jarrad Davis of Florida took a top 30 visit to the UMPC Rooney Sports Complex, Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham is there Friday, along with Illinois outside linebacker Carroll Phillips.

Ben Roethlisberger
Ray Fittipaldo
Ben Roethlisberger confirms he's returning in 2017

Cunningham (6-4, 230) is projected as a first-round pick and rated the No. 25 player overall by nfldraftscout.com. That’s right in the range where the Steelers will be selecting with the No. 30 overall pick. Davis is the No. 53 overall player, according to nfldraftscout.com, and the next best inside linebacker prospect.

It could be the Steelers are merely doing their homework on players at a position of need. Thirty prospects will walk through those doors over the next few weeks and the vast majority won’t get drafted by the Steelers.

Advertisement

But it is getting hard to ignore the Steelers targeting inside linebackers. And they’re not mid-round targets who figure to grow into roles as Williams did. Hightower obviously would have stepped in as a starter and anyone drafted in the first or second round would do the same. It might not be in the opening week, but they’d be starters as rookies.

Phillips (6-3, 242) is an outside linebacker and a mid-round prospect. But that’s not the reason they should draft him.

The reason they should draft him is he is the nephew of famed Miami rapper Luther Campbell. Now there’s some entertaining material for beat writers.

Steelers lineman Chris Hubbard started three games at right tackle last season but can also play guard and center.
Ray Fittipaldo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers offensive lineman Chris Hubbard signs one-year contract

You can read more about Phillips here in this NFL.com profile that projects him as a backup in the NFL.

The Steelers had 14 prospects in for visits this week. Here is the list:

April 3: Patrick Mahomes, QB; Joshua Dobbs, QB; Joshua Reynolds, WR; Kenny Golloday, WR

April 4: Takk McKinley, OLB; Derek Rivers, OLB; Jourdan Lewis, CB; Montae Nicholson, S.

April 6: Chris Godwin, WR; James Conner, RB; Budda Baker, S; Josh Jones, S; Jarrad Davis, LB.

April 7: Zach Cunningham, LB; Carroll Phillips, LB.

First Published: April 7, 2017, 4:36 p.m.

RELATED
Pitt running back James Conner works through drills during Pitt pro day March 22.
Ray Fittipaldo
James Conner and Chris Godwin among prospects visiting the Steelers on Thursday
UCLA's Takkarist McKinley chases Colorado QB Serfo Liufau during an October 2015 game in Pasadena, Calif.
Ray Fittipaldo
UCLA's Takkarist McKinley, Michigan's Jourdan Lewis among four Steelers visitors Tuesday
SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Must Read
Partners
Advertisement
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham  (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press)
Illinois' Carroll Phillips  (Bradley Leeb/Associated Press)
Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story