The bottom of the D-line depth will come with difficult decisions:

[slashsteel]

1. Esezi Otomewo

Strengths

• NFL experience.
• Good length and size.
• Can play multiple spots across the defensive front.
• Shows some pass-rush ability for a bigger lineman.
• Finished 2025 strong enough that Pittsburgh brought him back.

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t have a dominant trait.
• Production has been modest throughout his NFL career.
• More of a rotational player than a player offenses must account for.

Steelers comp: A useful “first guy off the bench” type.


2. Logan Lee

Strengths

• Relentless motor.
• Plays hard every snap.
• Penetrating style fits attacking fronts.
• Positional versatility.
• Gets his hands up in passing lanes.

Weaknesses

• Somewhat of a tweener size-wise.
• Doesn’t have elite athletic traits.
• Pass-rush toolbox is still developing.
• Can struggle disengaging from stronger blockers.

Steelers comp: The “coach’s favorite” type because he never stops working.

3. Gabriel Rubio

Strengths

• Massive frame (320+ lbs).
• Strong run defender.
• Holds his ground well.
• Can two-gap and occupy blockers.
• Plays with effort and toughness.

Weaknesses

• Limited athlete.
• Little pass-rush upside.
• Injury history is concerning.
• Ceiling appears fairly limited.

Steelers comp: Traditional run-stuffing defensive tackle.


4. Dean Lowry

Strengths

• Veteran savvy.
• Versatility.
• Strong against the run.
• Uses power and leverage well.
• Rarely out of position.

Weaknesses

• Age.
• Coming off injury concerns.
• Doesn’t offer much developmental upside.
• Team may prefer younger players with similar production potential.

Steelers comp: Reliable veteran insurance policy.


5. Kevin Jobity Jr.

Strengths

• Best natural pass-rush upside of the group.
• Quick first step.
• Active hands.
• High motor.
• Can line up at multiple spots.

Weaknesses

• Can get moved by double teams.
• Only one truly productive college season.
• Still raw.
• Needs NFL strength development.

Steelers comp: Developmental type


My two & a half cents:

Perhaps they keep two? three? Try to store a few on the PS ?

I was thinking maybe it shakes out they keep three:

The best pass rusher.
The best run stuffer.
The best overall player.
One developmental type.

Which three approaches out of the four choices or two approaches depending on if they keep 2 or 3 will be interesting when it is all said and done.

 

[Litos]

Given that Heyward, Harmon, benton, black, Joseph day are locks, how many more is the team carrying? Probably 2 only, Rubio looks like a perfectly stashable prospect, ditto for Jobity.

There's already enough youth on the main 5 to not go with proven vets to fill out the roster m, my money is on otomewo/lowry/Lee, as you need experience if one of the top guys go down

 

[slashsteel]

Given that Heyward, Harmon, benton, black, Joseph day are locks, how many more is the team carrying? Probably 2 only, Rubio looks like a perfectly stashable prospect, ditto for Jobity.

There's already enough youth on the main 5 to not go with proven vets to fill out the roster m, my money is on otomewo/lowry/Lee, as you need experience if one of the top guys go down

Good way to look at it experience being the driver. So for the less experienced to stick they probably would have to training camp straight beat them out. I think if you could combine Rubio with Jobity you would have a roster lock. With their deficiencies I think their strengths will have to outshine one of the vets in camp.

I was thinking competition wise it is what you look for at any position. Thankfully it is at an important trench position.

 

[steelhurt]

Hay Slash, I had a dream last night that the Steelers had just won this season’s SB and Mr. Rogers was running around the field yelling and screaming celebrating the win.
That dream came out of nowhere since I really hadn’t been talking or thinking much about the Steelers as of late. Maybe an omen!

 

[SteelerFan448]

Versatility and special teams ability are probably the biggest factors for the last roster spot. I suppose there's an outside chance they could keep 7, but didn't Graham say the Steelers will primarily run their defense out of the nickel?

I think they'll deploy their DL more along the lines of LeBeau, occupying blockers to allow the LBs to clean things up. Plus, they're paying their EDGE rushers a lot of money to rush the QB.

 

[slashsteel]

Hay Slash, I had a dream last night that the Steelers had just won this season’s SB and Mr. Rogers was running around the field yelling and screaming celebrating the win.
That dream came out of nowhere since I really hadn’t been talking or thinking much about the Steelers as of late. Maybe an omen!

Wait wut.

 

[Drink IRON City]

1. Esezi Otomewo

Strengths

• NFL experience.
• Good length and size.
• Can play multiple spots across the defensive front.
• Shows some pass-rush ability for a bigger lineman.
• Finished 2025 strong enough that Pittsburgh brought him back.

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t have a dominant trait.
• Production has been modest throughout his NFL career.
• More of a rotational player than a player offenses must account for.

Steelers comp: A useful “first guy off the bench” type.


2. Logan Lee

Strengths

• Relentless motor.
• Plays hard every snap.
• Penetrating style fits attacking fronts.
• Positional versatility.
• Gets his hands up in passing lanes.

Weaknesses

• Somewhat of a tweener size-wise.
• Doesn’t have elite athletic traits.
• Pass-rush toolbox is still developing.
• Can struggle disengaging from stronger blockers.

Steelers comp: The “coach’s favorite” type because he never stops working.

3. Gabriel Rubio

Strengths

• Massive frame (320+ lbs).
• Strong run defender.
• Holds his ground well.
• Can two-gap and occupy blockers.
• Plays with effort and toughness.

Weaknesses

• Limited athlete.
• Little pass-rush upside.
• Injury history is concerning.
• Ceiling appears fairly limited.

Steelers comp: Traditional run-stuffing defensive tackle.


4. Dean Lowry

Strengths

• Veteran savvy.
• Versatility.
• Strong against the run.
• Uses power and leverage well.
• Rarely out of position.

Weaknesses

• Age.
• Coming off injury concerns.
• Doesn’t offer much developmental upside.
• Team may prefer younger players with similar production potential.

Steelers comp: Reliable veteran insurance policy.


5. Kevin Jobity Jr.

Strengths

• Best natural pass-rush upside of the group.
• Quick first step.
• Active hands.
• High motor.
• Can line up at multiple spots.

Weaknesses

• Can get moved by double teams.
• Only one truly productive college season.
• Still raw.
• Needs NFL strength development.

Steelers comp: Developmental type


My two & a half cents:

Perhaps they keep two? three? Try to store a few on the PS ?

I was thinking maybe it shakes out they keep three:

The best pass rusher.
The best run stuffer.
The best overall player.
One developmental type.

Which three approaches out of the four choices or two approaches depending on if they keep 2 or 3 will be interesting when it is all said and done.

Great post and thanks for all your great ones along the way, appreciate the work you put into these slash.!!!


I’m where Litos is, but also point out that Logan Lee has capabilities of sticking. I’ve zeroed in on his play and that motor is a real thing, not just on occasion but seen every play.

I’m excited for TC, something that wasn’t present the last Decade.




Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

Versatility and special teams ability are probably the biggest factors for the last roster spot. I suppose there's an outside chance they could keep 7, but didn't Graham say the Steelers will primarily run their defense out of the nickel?

I think they'll deploy their DL more along the lines of LeBeau, occupying blockers to allow the LBs to clean things up. Plus, they're paying their EDGE rushers a lot of money to rush the QB.

I think 7 is the least they will keep. Only because we are talking DE x2 and NT. Mix in Cam is teetering at his last or second to last season.

• Cameron Heyward
• Keeanu Benton
• Derrick Harmon
• Yahya Black
• Sebastian Joseph-Day

I think this is your locks. We know they won’t keep less than 6 IMO….

 

[Drink IRON City]

Hay Slash, I had a dream last night that the Steelers had just won this season’s SB and Mr. Rogers was running around the field yelling and screaming celebrating the win.
That dream came out of nowhere since I really hadn’t been talking or thinking much about the Steelers as of late. Maybe an omen!

You may have accident-ed into a “portal”, I’m glad you found your way back..!!




Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

Great post and thanks for all your great ones along the way, appreciate the work you put into these slash.!!!


I’m where Litos is, but also point out that Logan Lee has capabilities of sticking. I’ve zeroed in on his play and that motor is a real thing, not just on occasion but seen every play.

I’m excited for TC, something that wasn’t present the last Decade.




Salute the nation

Lee definitely has an attractive motor I think their new coaching staff will like that attribute and I thought Es had some attractive moments for the Steelers last season in a limited role.

I think for me it is hard to see which player truly on my bubble list has the most upside.

If that player is identified do they want to risk exposure in attempting to place them on PS?

Can they keep him if other bubble players are playing well come end of training camp?

A lot of questions …

 

[slashsteel]

You may have accident-ed into a “portal”, I’m glad you found your way back..!!




Salute the nation

This place they don’t talk about Steelers or think about them. What a mysterious and dark place.