After struggling to search out a solution on the inside linebacker place for practically a decade, the Pittsburgh Steelers have probably the strongest room on the place in latest reminiscence, having the likes of Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson, and Carson Bruener all on the depth chart. Queen and Wilson look to be the highest two guys on the depth chart that can see probably the most time, whereas Robinson and Bruener are extra special-teams gamers who will see defensive snaps in case of mass accidents to the place. Nonetheless, relating to ILB3 on the depth chart, that position seems extra up within the air between Harrison and Holcomb.
Harrison was signed this offseason to fill the position of Elandon Roberts, who performed for Pittsburgh the previous two seasons, however signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after not being introduced again. Harrison signed a notable two-year deal value $10 million, suggesting that he will be the chief within the clubhouse for snaps behind Queen and Wilson to start out coaching camp.
Harrison brings expertise and flexibility to Pittsburgh, having performed in 76 profession video games (34 begins) with the Ravens after being chosen within the third spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s much like Roberts as extra of a downhill thumper towards the run that additionally has dabbled at exterior linebacker, serving to maintain exterior include whereas bringing some cross rush upside from the field in addition to on the sting.
Whereas he has nice dimension and stopping energy, Harrison may be inconsistent as a tackler and might wrestle in protection as Alex Kozora identified in his movie room breakdown on Harrison after he signed with the workforce, making him extra of a distinct segment participant that may contribute closely on particular groups quite than being relied on as an each down defender. The idea for a lot of this offseason has been that Wilson and Harrison could break up time, with Queen taking part in a lot of the snaps, permitting Wilson to play in additional protection conditions. On the similar time, Harrison can contribute extra on early downs.
Pittsburgh did make a notable funding in Harrison this offseason, however they opted to maintain Holcomb on the roster as he works again from a big knee damage suffered in 2023, lacking the complete 2024 season in consequence. Holcomb took a pay reduce to remain in Pittsburgh on a reworked deal, however studies are saying that Holcomb is totally wholesome, which may make the competitors for Pittsburgh’s ILB3 spot on the depth chart extra attention-grabbing.
As I discussed in a earlier article on the location, the Steelers are “taking part in with home cash” relating to Holcomb. He’s a former starter within the position of a reserve for affordable, having the possibility to earn his spot and extra taking part in time right here in a make-or-break 12 months, getting back from damage. Previous to the season-ending damage, Holcomb regarded like a sound starter in the midst of Pittsburgh’s protection, taking part in a majority of the snaps as Pittsburgh’s three-down linebacker.
When evaluating Holcomb’s sport to Harrison’s, Holcomb notably performs sooner on tape. He possesses the play velocity and recognition, which is obvious in his pursuit of the soccer to the sidelines, in addition to his motion abilities in protection. In response to Professional Soccer Reference, Holcomb surrendered a 68.4% completion price for 144 yards and nil touchdowns in protection in 2023. In the meantime, Harrison had a protection grade of 30.6 in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, struggling in protection conditions the place he wasn’t in a position to play extra comfortably in beneath zone coverages.
Harrison has extra dimension and energy to be a extra bodily, downhill presence towards the run, which is a notable asset. Nonetheless, Holcomb didn’t carry out poorly in that space in 2023, and given his strengths in different areas, an argument may be made that he could also be a more sensible choice as a next-man-up on the depth chart than Harrison in a number of conditions.
The important thing variable might be how wholesome Holcomb is following his earlier damage, and whether or not any rust has accrued from not taking part in dwell soccer for over a 12 months. You possibly can argue that Pittsburgh already has somebody like Holcomb in Wilson forward of him on the depth chart, making Harrison extra of a complement to what they have already got. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh is motivated to play their greatest guys, and Holcomb may match that invoice if totally wholesome.
It will be truthful to say that Harrison holds the lead proper now for the ILB3 job after the offseason heading into coaching camp, given the contract he signed and the way Holcomb must show himself in coaching camp and the preseason. Nonetheless, as soon as the pads come on and the 2 are put in dwell soccer conditions, that’s when the actual winner of this battle on the depth chart might be determined, and Holcomb’s well being seemingly would be the figuring out issue for who would be the victor.
