Pittsburgh Steelers improve run defense with Buddy Johnson pick

With their second selection in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers take another prospect from Texas A&M in Buddy Johnson. Johnson is an inside backer with average speed but was great in run defense. Everyone knows it is a standard to be a good tackler to play for the Steelers and Johnson was a solid linebacker for the Aggies missing very few tackles.

With being smaller in size, Johnson makes up for it in effort and technique. Linebacker is not a big need with Devin Bush coming off injury and resigning Robert Spillane and Vince Williams, but this pick adds depth to the inside of the second level of the Steelers defense.

Buddy Johnson stands at 6-foot and weighs 229 pounds which is a bit smaller than the prototypical linebacker in the NFL. That being said, with the game becoming more wide open than ever before and teams creating space with speed, he will be just fine at his weight and size.

Johnson’s biggest strength is against the run by closing gaps and picking the right holes to fill up the middle. Buddy Johnson has fluid hip movement and can make tackles all over the field. This past season had 18 tackles for loss, even with average speed, Johnson still has the ability to be effective on run defense and could be used in delayed blitzes which Keith Butler loves using.

Buddy Johnson could develop more in pass coverage but has great skills and the ability to be a developmental linebacker at the next level. Johnson will most likely be used on special teams and could perhaps develop into a starter in the future. Even being undersized for the position, his high motor and ability to enforce distribution in run defense makes him an intriguing selection for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.