Behind the Steel Curtain
A better late than never draft profile on Pittsburgh’s newest edge defender.
In this dead part of the Steelers’ season, it’s worth taking a closer look at the team’s rookie class. As we never got the chance to do a draft profile on Jack Sawyer earlier this year at BTSC, here’s a scouting report-style breakdown on Pittsburgh’s new linebacker.
When analyzing Jack Sawyer’s game, there are two undeniable strengths: run defense, and effort.
He’s strong and aware at the point of attack, with above-average hand usage to shed blocks and take down runners. His most consistent aspect of his game is setting the edge. Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin made it clear that’s a trait the team valued when drafting Sawyer, and it’s a skill set that gives the Ohio State product a decently high floor at the NFL level.
That part of Sawyer’s game goes hand in hand with the other major highlight of his profile: effort. Sawyer is a tough, extremely high-motor defender. If the runner is within his radius for a chase-down tackle, you can bet No. 33 will be hot in pursuit.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Sawyer pick when it happened, and still have concerns, but he’s undeniably an easy player to root for. There were countless plays on his 2024 tape just like the one below:
Sawyer’s playing style results in his ability to make plays in the clutch, underlined by his sack-fumble-scoop-and-score against Texas last season that sent his Buckeyes to the National Championship.
Sawyer had a whopping 4.5 sacks and six pass breakups during Ohio State’s four-game playoff run per NFL.com — the moment wasn’t too big for him, and I’m sure the Steelers noticed.
Of course, there’s a reason why he dropped to the fourth round, and that’s Sawyer’s lack of upside as a pass rusher. His tape doesn’t hint at any high-end athletic traits, and sure enough, Sawyer avoided testing like the plague during the pre-draft process.
We did get some measurements, though. At 6’4, 260 pounds, it seems like Sawyer’s play strength will translate to the pros, but his sub-32-inch arms are a massive concern in an NFL full of lengthy tackles, and it’s a concern that does show up on his college tape.
Coming off the line, Sawyer isn’t worryingly slow following the snap, but there’s a definite lack of twitch which limits his ability to win quickly off the edge.
What worries me the most is his lack of bend. Sawyer is a noticeably stiff defender who doesn’t turn the corner smoothly when rushing the arc. That can also affect his ability to finish plays.
Ohio State didn’t drop Sawyer into coverage much, and when he did he looked OK but I wouldn’t consider that to be a heavy part...
