The Steelers' decision to trade for a fifth round pick to select Wisconsin's Isaiahh Loudermilk gave them another big body for the defensive line. Loudermilk's obvious advantage is his size at 6-foot-5, 290 lbs. In the Big Ten he was an obstructive force who became tough to move for offensive lines, but he will need to be more than that to be a factor for the Steelers.
Loudermilk's most reliable trait at Wisconsin was that he could overwhelm opponents with his size and consistent effort. He wasn't an overly technical player, but he would at least go into each play understanding his role in the defense with the proper positioning and attack plan.
Over his four years at Wisconsin, Loudermilk lined up all over the Badgers' defensive line, including both defensive tackle positions and occasionally on the edge. Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said back when the team selected Loudermilk that his versatility played a big part in their reason for picking him. But he also emphasized that size the Steelers couldn't overlook.
"He fits the mold for what we want to do in Pittsburgh," Dunbar said of Loudermilk. "He's a big, strapping young man. I know he lost some weight for his pro day, but we can get him to 285-290. He can move down over the guards when we move to our sub package and really push the pocket. To get a kid with his kind of size and height in the fifth round is a good get for the Steelers."
Loudermilk admittedly dropped 20 lbs. to prepare for his pro day in order to be more nimble and show NFL scouts he could be light on his feet. The move worked as he ran a 4.55-second time in the 20-yard shuttle and a 7.52 time in the three-cone drill. Those times were very comparable to Iowa Chauncey Golston who ran a 4.65-second time in the 20-yard shuttle and the same time in the three-cone drill.
Golston ended up being a third round pick by the Cowboys. But at 6-foot-4, 269 lbs., he's a tad smaller than Loudermilk. The fact Loudermilk could run similar times showed how nimble he could be. He's since put the weight back on and plans to adjust to whatever size the Steelers need him to be a factor in their defense.
The Steelers already benefit from two tall and large defensive linemen as starters with 6-foot-5, 295 lbs. Cam Heyward and 6-foot-6, 303 lbs. Stephon Tuitt. Those are advanced linemen who possess multiple pass rush moves and counter techniques to maintain leverage against the run.
Loudermilk doesn't have any of that yet, but he buys into a role when he's given it. Watch this play as he lined up as the right defensive tackle (No. 97) against Northwestern. The play is a run where he could go all out for the tackle for loss, but as the play flowed to other side, he took up his guard and the center. Doing that allowed for Wisconsin's linebackers behind him to be clean on the play and make the tackle:
That's an important role in any defense. It's also important for a defensive lineman to grasp that concept and play to it, which Loudermilk displayed consistently on tape.
And that's not to say he's not a player that won't go for the big play. When the situation was lined up, Loudermilk could bully his way into a backfield with the proper leverage and make a tackle for loss like he did here:
But most of those times Loudermilk's victories were more because of his alignment in the defense giving him an advantage or a play design setting him up for a clean shot in the backfield.
There are the occasional swim moves or rip moves on tape, but none of them have been consistent factors for his game. Instead, most of his tape involves him taking a basic approach where he works to overpower opponents.
Like this sack against Michigan State, you can see Loudermilk get off the ball and just keep shoving his man into the pocket before disengaging so he could sack the quarterback:
Impressive play, but there won't be that many opportunities like that in the NFL where players are consistently stronger.
He'll need to develop a consistent understanding of an array of hand techniques to win leverage in the pass rush and against the run. It's one thing to understand where you're supposed to line up and how your position can help others, but it's another to master defensive techniques to best opponents in the hole.
Part of improving his techniques also includes coming off the ball lower in his stance. Loudermilk appears to have become too reliant on his height and size winning over opponents. That led to linemen getting under his pads and winning leverage over him like what happened on this play against Ohio State.
You can see him as the left defensive tackle get blown off the ball almost five yards. While Wisconsin still bottled up the play, it's an example of where Loudermilk isn't at his best:
And that's not to say he can't get low against opponents.
He's definitely capable and has done it when there's a clear situation that calls for it like a goal line stand. Watch this play where he helped stuff a running back in a backfield on a forth and goal:
But again, notice how his positioning allowed him to not take on a double team or worry about taking an offensive lineman head on.
Most situations won't allow for such an advantage, nor will they call for Loudermilk to sell out on a play. He will have to learn more techniques, then hone them to be a consistent factor with them on the Steelers' interior defensive line. That will take time to develop. As the Steelers know from several years with Dan McCullers, size isn't enough.
Fortunately for the Steelers, their interior linemen is the deepest part of the defense. Behind Heyward and Tuitt the team can rely on Tyson Alualu as a solid replacement along with Chris Wormley, giving two veterans who can provide relief. Behind them is a number of defensive linemen selected late in the NFL Draft like Carlos Davis from the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft or Isaiah Buggs from the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Loudermilk will have plenty of competition to face when training camp begins in late July. Seeing where he ranks against some of the younger depth defensive lineman after a full camp could show a glimpse of whether he can take to the challenges of honing his game.
