Owen Straley

Steelers Depot • 29th December 2023

Film Room: Steelers' Successful Sim Pressures

Amid injury issues plaguing the back seven, the Pittsburgh Steelers relied heavily on their simulated pressure packages to maintain sound, zone-coverage structure on the back end in Week 16. In the secondary, Patrick Peterson saw extensive action at...

Steelers Depot • 20th July 2023

Straley: Has Pittsburgh Done Enough To Address Their ILB Concerns?

For much of the past decade, Pittsburgh’s lagged far short of league average in terms of spending in the secondary. Nonetheless, a linebacker room filled with coverage capable players the likes of Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, and to a lesser...

Steelers Depot • 12th July 2023

Straley: A Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Secondary Preview

Despite fielding a top-level pass rush for the better part of the past decade, the Steelers’ inconsistent play on the back end often prevented them from producing an elite defensive unit. After the front office finally decided to make the much-needed...

Steelers Depot • 17th June 2023

Film Room: The Interchangeable Skills Of Minkah Fitzpatrick And Damontae Kazee

Since arriving in Pittsburgh via trade in 2019, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s presence has transformed the Steelers’ pass defense, helping establish a takeaway-oriented mindset to complement the unit’s already dominant pass rush. In total, across four seasons...

Steelers Depot • 10th June 2023

Film Room: Shifting Pictures And Camouflaging Coverage - The Anatomy Of Mike Tomlin's Defense

Mike Tomlin, once one of the brightest young defensive minds in the NFL landscape, has often drawn praise for his ability to establish a winning culture in Pittsburgh and serve as a motivator in the locker room. While these aspects of his coaching...

Steelers Depot • 29th May 2023

Film Room: CB Levi Wallace Coming Off Career Year

Ahead of the 2023 off-season, re-signing Cameron Sutton, who was coming off a career year, seemed like a logical top priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sutton signed with the Detroit Lions at the start of free agency and the front office...

Steelers Depot • 18th May 2023

Film Room: The Best Game To Sum Up What Pittsburgh Is Getting With CB Patrick Peterson

There is no denying that Patrick Peterson is one of the best defensive backs of the 21st century, first bursting onto the scene as a dynamic return man before ascending to perennial Pro-Bowl status at the boundary cornerback position. In total,...

Steelers Depot • 15th May 2023

Film Room: Cory Trice Jr. Has Potential To Be Versatile Sub-Package Player

Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, I repeatedly cited the need for the Steelers to not only address the cornerback position but potentially double dip at the position, allowing for room to fill holes at both the boundary and slot positions. Following...

Steelers Depot • 11th May 2023

Film Room: CB Cory Trice Jr.'s Best Football Is Ahead Of Him

Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, myself, among others, were of the belief that Pittsburgh would be best served to double dip at the cornerback position, addressing needs both on the boundary and in the slot. Ultimately, they decided to double dip at the...

Steelers Depot • 6th May 2023

Film Room: Joey Porter Jr.'s Off-Man And Zone Coverage Ability

Joey Porter Jr. ‘s length and press-coverage profile make him an attractive fit in Pittsburgh, which deploys Cover 1 at a rate matched by few other teams across the league. Likewise, much of the dialogue and coverage following the Porter selection,...

Steelers Depot • 1st May 2023

Film Room: Breaking Down Joey Porter Jr. In Press Coverage

When I finished my pre-draft rankings at the cornerback position, I had Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. ranked as my fourth-best prospect, with his otherworldly length and physical play style as major plus factors. With height (6024), arm length (34”),...

Steelers Depot • 26th April 2023

Straley: 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings

For the second consecutive draft season, I decided to conclude my 2023 coverage with a big board of the cornerback position, this year expanding the field to include my top 15 prospects. Ahead of compiling this list, I watched no less than three full...

Steelers Depot • 20th April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: UAB CB Starling Thomas V

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 14th April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: NC State LB Isaiah Moore

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 12th April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Alabama QB Bryce Young

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 8th April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Florida WR Justin Shorter

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 2nd April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Maryland DB Jakorian Bennett

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 1st April 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 29th March 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: South Alabama CB Darrell Luter Jr.

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...

Steelers Depot • 26th March 2023

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Oregon State CB Alex Austin

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down...