It is an unavoidable truth that for every dream that comes true during the NFL Draft, another one comes to a close. With only so many spots available, younger, cheaper rookies often get the nod over established veterans.
Sometimes those battles carry into training camp and are showcased in preseason games. Other times, the incumbent’s fate is sealed in April.
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers cut veteran defensive tackle Montravius Adams after drafting two potential replacements (per Adam Schefter). In the first round, the Steelers chose Oregon phenom Derrick Harmon. On Day 3, they added Iowa nose tackle Yahya Black.
Passing over quarterbacks for linemen may not have been the most popular strategy, but it fit a legitimate need, and Pittsburgh found good value with either selection.
Adams wasn’t a true nose tackle, although he was essentially the second stringer at the spot, playing the second-most snaps over the A gap behind Keeanu Benton. Black will likely only take snaps at that spot; his gargantuan frame and limited athleticism will keep him there.
The Steelers, though, needed to get bigger and stronger in the trenches. They found that with Black, who figures to fit a specific role up front. Harmon may be a more direct encroachment on Adams’ playing time. He figures to take snaps across the defensive line, joining Cam Heyward and Benton in certain packages and spelling them in others. He can reliably take snaps at either spot, boasting elite athleticism with his size.
Adams, meanwhile, didn’t do much to ward off competition. He played in 11 largely ineffective games in 2024, totaling just a sack and two tackles for loss.
The Steelers were merely average against the run in 2024. But this is a team that plans on playing meaningful January football, and it is always hard to win in January without running the ball well and stopping it on the other end.
Just look at last year’s Wild Card Round, when the Baltimore Ravens stampeded their way to a 28-14 win, with quarterback Lamar Jackson doing next to nothing through the air – because he didn’t have to.
Moving on from Adams in favor of two physical rookies helps move Pittsburgh in the right direction.
If it’s any consolation, signing Adams would no longer affect the compensatory pick formula, which might incentivize a team to roll the dice on him.
