Three Nose Tackle Options for Steelers in 2025 NFL Draft
The NFL released their official combine invite list and it further solidifies just how deep this interior defensive line class truly is. There are 41 players that will depart for Indianapolis in a little over a week, a massive increase from last years class that gave us just 25 guys at this position. Whether it’s true nose tackles or three-techniques, this group has something for every team, including the Pittsburgh Steelers. One notable observation from Senior Bowl week was just how much time the coaching staff spent spectating the trenches, giving us our first inclination of the Steelers offseason priorities.
Their current cupboard isn’t completely dry. But Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward turns 36-years old next season and won’t play at an All-Pro caliber level forever. Keeanu Benton has been solid, but given some of his deficiencies against the run, he possesses more upside if moved to more of a defensive end role. That is one option the team could, and quite frankly should, consider this offseason with Larry Ogunjobi offering the team $7 million dollars of cap space in the event that he’s released. If the Steelers choose to go that route, there are a myriad of nose tackle options that they could pursue in a really intriguing class.
Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
One of the few underclassmen that we have in this class, Grant was the Robin to Mason Graham’s Batman, forming the most destructive interior in the country last season. In 2024, he finished with career highs across the board: pressures (27), sacks (3) and total stops (27). Listed 340 pounds, big dudes simply should not be this nimble from a movement perspective. His club-swim move was virtually unblock-able last season and his bull rush was a nice compliment to his finesse as a rusher. Defeating 1v1 base blocks in the run game is fairly easy for him due to the shock in his hands. Grant needs more seasoning from a block recognition and technique perspective, particularly against gap scheme run concept attack him with a double team. Grant has the talent to live up to the first round billing and his aura will only grow if he tests as expected at the combine.
Alfred Collins (Texas)
While a five-year contributor in some capacity, Collins had to wait for his predecessors to depart campus before garnering more of a full time role and his 2024 film shows a very useful player. He finished tied-sixth among defensive lineman in the SEC with 17 run stops while missing just a single tackle through the regular season. Collins comes equipped with extremely long levers (34 3/4-inch arms), excels at locking out while simultaneously keeping his eyes on the ball carrier. Unlike other guys in this class, Collins understands how to anchor down versus double teams to hold the point of attack and keep his backers free to shoot gaps. At this juncture, he’s a two-down player without a pass rush plan but a quality defensive line coach could be able to help him weaponize his length as a power rusher in the future. With the cyclical nature of the NFL bringing a run-heavy mentality back to the forefront, his specialized skill set will become valuable outside the top-50.
Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon)
A year after transferring from Houston, Caldwell helped anchor a menacing Oregon front, helping the Ducks secure the number one seed in the College Football Playoffs. He only registered one sack this past season, partially due to his wound-up, out of control play style but still frustrated quarterbacks with a respectable 25 pressures. With a low center of gravity and surprisingly quick first step, he’s flashed the ability to get under blockers pads and drive them back with his raw power capacity. Caldwell is a dancing panda with good lateral range and shows fantastic effort to run down plays such as screens and outside runs to the perimeter. There are areas of his game that are a bit rough around the edges such as his block recognition, but if for teams that aren’t sticklers for arm length at the position, there’s untapped upside to unearth. He’s getting virtually no buzz at the moment for whatever reason but he’s a fun eval and a player that coaches should bang the table for in the middle rounds.