Pittsburgh Steelers got a big-time steal in Quincy Roche
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened up their 2021 NFL Draft class with somewhat of a predictable selection. Many expected Pittsburgh to be a potential landing spot for Alabama’s star running back Najee Harris, and that’s exactly what happened.
The Steelers draft class in 2021 wasn’t exactly loaded with value by consensus big boards and Pittsburgh broke one of Draft Twitter’s cardinal rules of using a first-round pick on the running back position.
With that being said, they did get a tremendous value in sixth-round pick Quincy Roche, a pass rusher who spent three seasons with Temple and his final year with the Miami Hurricanes.
From the outset of his collegiate career, all Roche did was make plays behind the line of scrimmage. In four seasons, he racked up 182 total tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles.
Athletically, Roche showed that he’s certainly got elite level speed off the edge.
Quincy Roche was drafted with pick 216 of round 6 in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 6.4 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 494 out of 1371 DE from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/qoLkHh5Wm6 #RAS #Steelers pic.twitter.com/X5HOjtYaTi
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
Quincy Roche is an insane value for the Pittsburgh Steelers
For the low, low price of a sixth-round pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers got a nice value here and someone that was projected to go no later than the fourth round.
Obviously that wasn’t the consensus among NFL teams, but the Steelers should feel really good about this one.
Roche is a fascinating blend of speed and strength, and he utilizes both of those traits really well in his pass rush arsenal. He needs some coaching and more variety to his rush, but there’s no question about the fact that this guy can get to the quarterback.
Pittsburgh lost Bud Dupree in free agency, so 2020 third-round pick Alex Highsmith will presumably step into a much larger role opposite TJ Watt this coming season, but Roche could certainly factor in sooner rather than later.
The only other real competition off the edge for snaps, at least right now, looks like journeyman Cassius Marsh.
After a stellar college career, Roche went out and did serious work at the Senior Bowl. He put forth some of his best reps against Las Vegas Raiders first-round tackle Alex Leatherwood.
As evidenced by his tape and this week, Alex Leatherwood really struggles with speed off the edge. Quincy Roche has cooked him all week. pic.twitter.com/3lihjnHMxt
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) January 29, 2021
Roche provides so much in the speed department off the edge, it could end up being tough for Pittsburgh to keep him off the field. It’s not like he was a one-year wonder in college who is going to need extra seasoning to be ready for action.
He’s ready to play right away with his outstanding play speed, reactive quickness, and ability to finish behind the line of scrimmage both in the run game and as a pass rusher.
The Pittsburgh Steelers really made off like bandits with this sixth-round pick.