Boise State outside linebacker/defensive end Kamalei Correa isn't a name most casual NFL fans have heard before, but it's one plenty of fans, including the Pittsburgh Steelers faithful, will want to familiarize themselves with ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft's first round.
For the Steelers' draft decision-makers, led by head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert, the focus on the defense's back-seven - as a recent report suggests is the case - makes ample sense.
Per the report, belief around the league - and specifically at Boise State's recent pro day - is that the Steelers will hone in on whatever cornerback, safety, or linebacker is available when they select at No. 25 in the first-round.
Considering the Steelers entered this offseason with five unrestricted free agents in their secondary and retained only cornerback William Gay and safety Robert Golden, allowing Will Allen, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin to head elsewhere in NFL free agency, it makes sense that they'd consider the backend to be a position requiring an injection of talent.
But cornerback, glaring need though it seems to be, isn't the only position the Steelers are eyeing at No. 25.
Colbert and Tomlin are "considering" Correa late in round one, according to the report.
It's an interesting development for Correa and also within the larger scope of the draft itself. The 2016 NFL Draft crop has long been touted as one that's deep along the defensive line, especially the interior, but it seems there are a growing number of pass rushers - sacks remain at a premium, remember - who are likely to come off the board on the first or second day.
Correa, much like another Steelers draft pick, Jarvis Jones, isn't overly physical or big - 6-foot-2, 243-pounds - but has the athleticism and skillset to get to the quarterback consistently from the outside linebacker spot in a 3-4.
Correa finished his last season with the Broncos having totaled 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 11 tackles-for-loss. His best season came the year before, when he managed 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 19 tackles-for-loss.
It seems projections on Correa have him pegged in the early second-round, and while the Steelers taking him at No. 25 would make it seem as though they reached, if they believe Correa can bring another pass rushing presence to a front-seven that already boasts Jones, last year's first-round pick Bud Dupree, defensive ends Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward, and will enjoy the services of James Harrison, the meanest man in football, for one more year, then they shouldn't hesitate to submit his name come April 28.
Upgrading at cornerback and safety likely trumps another pass rushing addition in the eyes of Steelers fans, especially considering Pittsburgh finished the 2015 NFL season with 48 sacks, the third-most in the league, as well as 30 takeaways, tied for the top mark in the AFC. Tuitt and Heyward, operating more like defensive tackles than pass rushing ends from their five technique spots in the 3-4, still managed to combine for 13.5 sacks, which was fifth among AFC defensive line tandems.
In short, the Steelers don't seem to have a need at outside linebacker, while the moribund secondary allowed the third-most passing yards per game last season (271.9) and were also in the bottom of the league in terms of 40-plus yard passing plays allowed. Of course, you can point to the Steelers' own high-flying passing game for the reason they found themselves in so many shootouts, but the end result is clear - the Steelers pass defense needs upgrades.
But really - what better way to make your secondary look worlds better than to build a pass rush that makes it so they only have to cover for two to three seconds?
