Pittsburgh adds depth to defensive front with one-year deal for versatile tackle
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their offseason defensive overhaul by inking former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo to a one-year contract on March 19. Otomewo, a 2022 fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, joins Pittsburgh after splitting his young NFL career between Minnesota and Jacksonville.
Standing at 6’5” and 282 pounds, the 26-year-old lineman appeared in four games for the Jaguars in 2024, starting two, and tallied four total tackles. Over nine career games, he has recorded nine tackles, a half-sack, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss. Otomewo played college football at Minnesota, where he developed into a physical, assignment-focused defender.
Pittsburgh’s latest move marks their third defensive line addition this free agency cycle, joining Isaiahh Loudermilk and ex-Patriot Daniel Ekuale. Otomewo’s profile aligns with the Steelers’ scheme, though questions about his ceiling remain. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein highlighted his potential in a 2022 draft assessment, describing him as a “long-levered, team-oriented defender” best suited for a 3-4 system as a 4i or 5-technique. However, Zierlein cautioned that Otomewo’s limited playmaking range and two-gap style might cap his role to a rotational run-stopper with “untapped potential.”
For now, the Steelers appear focused on shoring up their defensive front with high-effort, system-specific players. Otomewo’s signing offers depth and versatility, but whether he evolves beyond a situational contributor remains to be seen.
Leave a Reply