Trotter Jr. (230 pounds) plays much lighter than did his famous father, a four-time Pro Bowler, but he epitomizes the modern-day linebacker with his versatile skill set. While he is stout against the run, he's outstanding in coverage and as a blitzer.
Trice has an NFL frame at 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds, and he can get to the QB. Trice piled up 48 pressures (sixth in the nation) and nine sacks last season, plus 13 tackles for loss. Alex Highsmith is a free agent after 2023, and Trice could slot in as a potential replacement opposite T.J. Watt.
LSU had high expectations for Smith last season until he suffered a knee injury in the season opener while celebrating a play. If Smith returns to full health this season, he will regain his first-round trajectory.
It was easy for Egbuka to get lost in the shuffle at WRU, what with Garrett Williams, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., but he's a first-round talent.
Few teams prioritize the line of scrimmage like the Pittsburgh Steelers — a fact reinforced yet again with its 2023 class. That is why no one should be surprised by Pittsburgh boosting its pass rush with a prospect like Sawyer, the Buckeyes' most celebrated signing of the 2021 class with 7.5 sacks over his first two seasons. Scouts anticipate a major leap in production for Sawyer in this, his first draft-eligible season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Keeanu Benton in the second round in 2023, but they load up on the defensive front with the Bearcats' Dontay Corleone. Corleone can clog up the middle and is a good athlete for his size. He is a productive player who disrupts the passer and gets around the football.
The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his father's name and then some.
The younger Trotter excels on passing plays, as he was the only Power Five linebacker with 80-plus grades as a pass-rusher and in coverage. Trotter was second in that same group in both passer rating allowed (42.9) and open target rate allowed (47.6%).
Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are stopgap solutions at linebacker. Trotter Jr., who is capable of filling multiple roles on Sundays, would be a long term solution in Pittsburgh.
Here's betting that Tuimoloau — the 6-4, 270-pound former five-star recruit who posted two sacks and two interceptions in one game against Penn State last year — puts together the kind of breakout season that helps justify this lofty projection. Regardless of fit, Tuimoloau is the kind of talent that Mike Tomlin would no doubt relish adding to ramp up Pittsburgh's pass rush.
