The Steelers Return To An Impenetrable Run Defense Might Be Just A Texas 2-Step Away With Moro Ojomo

The Pittsburgh Steelers have definitive roster spots that need to be addressed in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers need a cornerback, an offensive tackle, a wide receiver, and a defensive lineman. Mel Kiper Jr. and the legions of mock draft experts he inspired think that cornerback and tackle will be the choice at pick 17 with rare exceptions. The Steelers tandem of Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have multiple options and are not tipping their hands where they are leaning.

The Steelers' defensive line needs are not as pressing to fans as the offensive line and cornerback. The starting defensive ends Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi both played well in 2022 and Ogunjobi was a key free agent that was retained by Pittsburgh. The only issue is that when the season begins, the pair of defensive ends will be 33 and 29 respectively. They have both been remarkably durable during their careers, but father time is undefeated and the Steelers need a succession plan.

Last season the Steelers drafted DeMarvin Leal from the Texas A&M Aggies and despite only playing in 11 games, he demonstrated a skill set that proves the black and gold found a quality defensive piece for the future at pick 84. The Steelers waited until the third round to work on the defensive line last year and if the top of the draft presents a unique opportunity with a falling player, Khan and Weidl may elect to wait until pick 80 or even 120 to boost the defensive line in the 2023 draft.

Pittsburgh could be eyeing a Texas two-step at the defensive end position if they wait until the end of day two or the beginning of day three to address the defensive line in the upcoming draft. Moro Ojomo is almost a carbon copy of Leal physically and while pick 80 might be a little bit of a reach for the Texas Longhorn, he would be an absolute steal at pick 120 for the Steelers.  Ojomo is projected to be an ideal fit as a 3-4 defensive end and should be available if Khan and Weidl want to see him in black and gold.

Ojomo was a mainstay on the Texas defensive line for the last four seasons. In 2018 as a freshman, he saw a little action, but since 2019 has played in 46 games for the Longhorns. Ojomo only had seven sacks in college, but he did have 62 hurries. He is not an accomplished pass rusher and will need to develop that aspect of his game at the NFL level.

That is the bad news, the good news is he might be one of the best-run defenders in the country. Ojomo has great hands and is a nightmare at the point of attack for offensive linemen. He has a keen nose for the football and tosses away blockers like he is participating in a battle royale in the WWE. Ojomo has a high motor and will instantly improve the Steelers’ run defense up front and could be an excellent piece to provide Heyward rest throughout games on early run downs.

Ojomo’s superior hand use might be his best trait coming into the NFL and paired with his high motor bode well in developing better moves as a pass rusher. TJ Watt and Heyward should be ideal mentors to help him develop as a pass rusher and the duo of Leal and Ojomo would solidify the Steelers’ run defense and allow linebackers to attack ball carriers without worrying about offensive linemen climbing past the two young ends.

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Ojomo should be ready if handled properly to take over full-time at defensive end when it becomes necessary. He could also help prolong Heyward and Ogunjobi’s careers while getting comfortable with a long-term partner in Leal. Weidl is especially known for drafting quality linemen and Ojomo is exactly that. If the Steelers tap him as a target, it will give them the flexibility to use a higher pick on a defensive back or a weapon for Kenny Pickett without sacrificing quality up front.

3-4 defensive ends are usually not perennial Pro Bowl selections like Heyward has been, but they are the key to an effective defense in Pittsburgh. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel were not highly decorated like Heyward, but they were the foundation of the best Steelers defenses this century. They will have to work at it, but Leal and Ojomo have the potential to become an intriguing dynamic duo that will carry the Steelers through the 2020's.