Before the Draft: Defensive End
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DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: MAYBE LATE
- Day 2: VERY POSSIBLE
Defensive end, like most positions on the roster, is unstable at best. The two starters, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel, are signed through 2011 and 2009, respectively. Both players had good years, with Keisel completing his first season as a starter after taking over for the departed Kimo Von Oelhoffen. But depth is quickly becoming a problem for the Steelers, and defensive end is one of the places it will quickly rear its ugly head.
Backup left end Rodney Bailey is currently an unrestricted free agent, and the team has made no effort, or even signaled any intention, to re-sign him. On the right side of the line, the team has a lot of money wrapped up for 2007 in backup Travis Kirschke, who is scheduled to make $1.6 million to sit the bench and play special teams. On top of that, Kirschke is possibly in his last season in the league — he’s a 32-year-old, 10-year veteran with a slim chance of becoming a starter at this point in his career. Certainly not in Pittsburgh, and probably no where else.
The starters, however, are worth their money. Keisel signed a $13.1 million contract before the 2006 season and Aaron Smith just signed an extension that will pay him more than $24 million through 2011.
The only concern with the starters at this point is Aaron Smith’s age. 2007 will be his ninth season, and at age 30 is reaching the point when most guys in the trenches begin to consider retirement. His age aside, however, Smith has been one of the Steelers’ most consistent, dependable players since he was drafted.
While only two years younger than Smith, Keisel has nearly 40 fewer games under his belt and, obviously, 40 fewer contests in which he could have picked up dings and dents. The undrafted free agent — which is becoming a bit of a trend for Steeler starters — finished 2006 with 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks, both good, solid numbers in a 3-4 defense where the linebackers get the vast majority of the statistical action.
With a potential switch to a 4-3 defense looming on the horizon, both players may have to slim down and speed up a little in order to fit properly into the scheme. Getting smaller isn’t all that hard; getting faster is, especially when Keisel and Smith are 28 and 30 years old. Expect at least one defensive end to be drafted or picked up in free agency, and you can be certain he will be closer to 270 pounds than 300 pounds.
This year’s draft has a strong class of defensive ends, with at least five expected to go in the first round. Unfortunately, the Steelers have far more immediate needs to fill, because Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson would be a good fit in black and gold — although Adams would likely be moved to outside linebacker, at least for now, because of his smaller size.
As for free agents, the best prospect of the year never even hit the market: Philadelphia made it a major priority to re-sign Juqua Thomas, and they accomplished that. There are some young players available who may work as development players, but there are no current standouts available.
Expect the Steelers to start swinging away from the huge roadblock defensive ends and more toward the smaller, faster variety that works best in the 4-3 defense Mike Tomlin covets.
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