ICYMI the Baltimore Ravens ridiculed the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 Wild Card game. The ridiculing came in many forms and fashions, but one number stands out:
299
That’s 299 yards rushing against the Steelers logged by Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
While it is grossly unfair to lay the blame for that fiasco solely on the shoulders of the Steelers defensive line, there’s no question the solution to fixing it begins by strengthen that group.
Cam Heyward and Montravius Adams fold up Kirk Cousins. Photo Credit: AP, via Tribune-Review
Steelers Defensive Line Depth Cart: The Starters
The only question about Cam Heyward as he returns for his 15th season is how long can he outrun father time? Cam Heyward hasn’t just been a dominant defensive lineman who has earned mention alongside franchise legends Ernie Stautner and Joe Greene, he’s become the face of the franchise.
Paying homage to Franco, Cam Heyward leads Steelers out of tunnel. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com
On the field he remains productive and he remains a leader. In 2024 Heyward recorded 8 sacks, 20 QB hits, 12 tackles for losses while batting down 11 passes.
Alongside Heyward, the Steelers have Keeanu Benton, whom they drafted in 2023. Benton authored a sensational rookie year, teasing that the franchise finally might have found somebody worthy of wearing Number 95.
Yet he struggled to build on that during his second season, as his stat line is almost identical to the first, despite making 5 more starts and playing almost 50% more of the defensive snaps. The Steelers waived their third defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, creating an opening on the line with no obvious heir apparent on the roster.
Steelers Defensive Line Depth Chart: The Backups
Montravius Adams heads up the defensive line depth chart. Adams arrived after a bit of practice squad poaching during the 2021 season and immediately became a starter. Adams is a solid depth player who can contribute in a pintch but will never worry opposing offensive line coaches.
Much can be said about Isaiahh Loudermilk, who had a solid rookie year, but plateaued thereafter.
Dean Lowry remains on the roster at this point, after the 8 year veteran played 12 games and logged 21% of the defensive snaps during 2024.
The Steelers signed a pair of journeymen defensive lineman in free agency. Daniel Ekuale brings 6 years, 57 games and 21 starts of experience from stints in Cleveland, Jacksonville and New England. He started 16 games last year for the Patriots, logging a sack and 52 tackles.
Esezi Otomewo brings 9 games and 2 years of experience with the Vikings and Jaguars as a defensive end.
The Steelers will also welcome back Logan Lee, whom they drafted in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft but lost to injury for the season during preseason. They also have Domenique Davis and Jacob Slade listed as defensive lineman on their off season roster.
If the Steelers have a wild card on their defensive line depth chart it is DeMarvin Leal. The Steelers drafted Leal as a defensive end in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn’t play much as a rookie, but passed the “eye test” in limited action. Yet he was invisible his second year. In 2024 he got a look at outside linebacker but was lost for the year with a neck stinger.
The Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Defensive Line
Omar Khan went off-script this spring. Normally when the Steelers have a glaring need going into the off season, the team signs a free agent even if it plans to prioritize that position in the draft.
Think back to 2019, when they signed Mark Barron and then drafted Devin Bush.
Not only did they not sign a starter capable or potentially starter-capable defensive lineman, they cut Ogunjobi. In an ideal world, the Steelers would find a someone who can play nose tackle allowing Benton to move outside, but they must find a starter.
And if they weren’t missing their second-rounder, a double-dip at defensive line in the top three rounds of the draft certainly won’t be out of the question. After all, the Steelers not only need a starter for this year, but they need to start thinking of who will take Cam Heyward’s place.
No matter how you slice it the Pittsburgh Steelers needs at defensive line going into the 2025 NFL Draft must be considered as Urgent.
