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Welcome to the pre-draft season! Leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft starting on April 28th, we will be releasing draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up…
Devonte Wyatt (Defensive Tackle), University of Georgia, Senior
OVERVIEW:
After finishing with the NFL’s fourth-worst rush defense in 2021, the Steelers are definitely going to be looking to address that going into 2022. Although their poor rush defense was mainly due to the fact that Tyson Alualu was lost early on to a season-ending injury, Stephon Tuitt spent the season away from the team, and there was not a lot of depth along the defensive line. The Steelers have drafted a defensive lineman in ten of the last eleven drafts, so it is safe to assume they’ll be doing to the same in 2022. But with how critical the need for big run-stoppers are in the AFC North, could we see the Steelers use one of their earlier picks on a defensive lineman like they did with Cam Heyward in 2011 and Tuitt in 2014? If they choose to, Devonte Wyatt has to be on the Steelers’ wish list.
PROS:
For being lined up next to probable first-rounder Jordan Davis, Wyatt made a strong case for himself at the NFL Combine. Measuring 6’3” and weighing 304 pounds, Wyatt’s size is exactly what teams look for in an interior lineman. In running a 4.77-second 40-yard dash, he also showed he has enough speed to chase ball carriers in the backfield. Looking at his tape from college, Wyatt has a great initial step off the ball in beating the offensive guard or center to plug the gap. He’s able to maintain great pad level and is disciplined in holding his assignments along the line. Although he is a large human, Wyatt possesses unique flexibility and can contort his body, making him even tougher for offensive linemen to block. Even though he has an average wingspan, Wyatt has the strength to push bodies backwards at the line of scrimmage to blow up the play before it starts. With his measurements and versatility, Wyatt is an easy plug-and-play anywhere along the defensive line in almost any defensive scheme.
CONS:
Going back to his tape, there are some things Wyatt will need to be coached-up on in order to be a true defensive anchor. First is ability to beat double teams. With his size and lining up at the interior, Wyatt is going to draw double teams and he’s had trouble beating them in college. To take that a step further, he is more known for his run-stopping ability as opposed to his pass rush ability. For Wyatt to transition to a steady three-down lineman, solid pass-rush ability is a must in the NFL. For Wyatt to reach his full potential, he’ll need to work on taking on and beating double teams, maintain correct hand placement, shed down blockers at the line, and keep improving his strength to counter is lack-of length.
DRAFT PROJECTION: 2nd Round
This year’s draft features an incredibly deep defensive line class. As a part of their 2021 Championship season, Georgia had arguably the best defense in all of college football and their defensive line is most likely going to be selected in the first 2 days of the draft. Before the combine, I had Wyatt as a solid 2nd round to maybe 3rd round pick. But after watching him in his drills and put on a show for the coaches and scouts, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first round. Georgia’s Pro Day is on March 16th and Wyatt is going to be watched carefully to see how he tops his combine performance. If all goes well, he should be considered a top 40 selection, but if things stay the same, he’s at least a strong 2nd round pick.
VERDICT:
I think it is safe to say that every NFL coach is in love with the prospects coming out of Georgia in this year’s draft. Wyatt is no exception to that. But here is where things get interesting for the Steelers; if their top names are all gone by the time they are on the clock at the 20th overall spot, I’d argue that they may want to trade back to load up on Day 2 picks. As of right now, Wyatt is still on the fringe of the first couple of rounds and if he’s dropped back a bit, the Steelers should look at him in the second round. Speaking strictly for the Steelers’ sake, I’d only look at Wyatt if he is available in the second round; there are other more-pressing needs to address early on in the draft than the defensive line.
Where do you see Wyatt going in April? Would you want to see him in the black and gold? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Devonte Wyatt (Defensive Tackle), University of Georgia, Senior
OVERVIEW:
After finishing with the NFL’s fourth-worst rush defense in 2021, the Steelers are definitely going to be looking to address that going into 2022. Although their poor rush defense was mainly due to the fact that Tyson Alualu was lost early on to a season-ending injury, Stephon Tuitt spent the season away from the team, and there was not a lot of depth along the defensive line. The Steelers have drafted a defensive lineman in ten of the last eleven drafts, so it is safe to assume they’ll be doing to the same in 2022. But with how critical the need for big run-stoppers are in the AFC North, could we see the Steelers use one of their earlier picks on a defensive lineman like they did with Cam Heyward in 2011 and Tuitt in 2014? If they choose to, Devonte Wyatt has to be on the Steelers’ wish list.
PROS:
For being lined up next to probable first-rounder Jordan Davis, Wyatt made a strong case for himself at the NFL Combine. Measuring 6’3” and weighing 304 pounds, Wyatt’s size is exactly what teams look for in an interior lineman. In running a 4.77-second 40-yard dash, he also showed he has enough speed to chase ball carriers in the backfield. Looking at his tape from college, Wyatt has a great initial step off the ball in beating the offensive guard or center to plug the gap. He’s able to maintain great pad level and is disciplined in holding his assignments along the line. Although he is a large human, Wyatt possesses unique flexibility and can contort his body, making him even tougher for offensive linemen to block. Even though he has an average wingspan, Wyatt has the strength to push bodies backwards at the line of scrimmage to blow up the play before it starts. With his measurements and versatility, Wyatt is an easy plug-and-play anywhere along the defensive line in almost any defensive scheme.
CONS:
Going back to his tape, there are some things Wyatt will need to be coached-up on in order to be a true defensive anchor. First is ability to beat double teams. With his size and lining up at the interior, Wyatt is going to draw double teams and he’s had trouble beating them in college. To take that a step further, he is more known for his run-stopping ability as opposed to his pass rush ability. For Wyatt to transition to a steady three-down lineman, solid pass-rush ability is a must in the NFL. For Wyatt to reach his full potential, he’ll need to work on taking on and beating double teams, maintain correct hand placement, shed down blockers at the line, and keep improving his strength to counter is lack-of length.
DRAFT PROJECTION: 2nd Round
This year’s draft features an incredibly deep defensive line class. As a part of their 2021 Championship season, Georgia had arguably the best defense in all of college football and their defensive line is most likely going to be selected in the first 2 days of the draft. Before the combine, I had Wyatt as a solid 2nd round to maybe 3rd round pick. But after watching him in his drills and put on a show for the coaches and scouts, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first round. Georgia’s Pro Day is on March 16th and Wyatt is going to be watched carefully to see how he tops his combine performance. If all goes well, he should be considered a top 40 selection, but if things stay the same, he’s at least a strong 2nd round pick.
VERDICT:
I think it is safe to say that every NFL coach is in love with the prospects coming out of Georgia in this year’s draft. Wyatt is no exception to that. But here is where things get interesting for the Steelers; if their top names are all gone by the time they are on the clock at the 20th overall spot, I’d argue that they may want to trade back to load up on Day 2 picks. As of right now, Wyatt is still on the fringe of the first couple of rounds and if he’s dropped back a bit, the Steelers should look at him in the second round. Speaking strictly for the Steelers’ sake, I’d only look at Wyatt if he is available in the second round; there are other more-pressing needs to address early on in the draft than the defensive line.
Where do you see Wyatt going in April? Would you want to see him in the black and gold? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
