Film Room: The Steelers add a high-character, high-effort edge player in Jack Sawyer
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State edge Jack Sawyer with their pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Sawyer, a three-year starter and team captain at Ohio State, had 144 tackles and 23 sacks in his college career. He’ll slot in nicely as a rotational player at the outside linebacker position. Pittsburgh now has a quartet there consisting of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Sawyer. That may be their deepest group in recent memory.
Sawyer will not be asked to play much early on, but when he does, he will demonstrate a broad skill set. He has a fairly advanced pass rush repertoire and is strong enough to hold the edge against the run. Sawyer will also add value on special teams, where his high motor should endear him to Steelers’ fans.
Sawyer is not an elite athlete, and he can play a little stiff at times. But his work habits, technique, and relentless effort should compensate for what he lacks in athleticism. He’s also a tremendous leader and locker room presence. Many of Ohio State’s players credited him and his teammate, fellow Steeler draftee Will Howard, with rallying the Buckeyes after their disheartening loss to Michigan in last season’s regular season finale. Ohio State rebounded from that defeat to make a run to the national title. Sawyer made what was arguably the most crucial play in that run. With Ohio State leading Texas 21-14 and just over two minutes to play in their semi-final contest, Sawyer strip-sacked Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers and returned the fumble 82 yards for the touchdown that sent the Buckeyes to the national championship. It was a clutch play from the individual many believed to be the heart-and-soul of that team.
I broke down some of what makes Sawyer an exciting prospect in the Twitter clip below. He’s unlikely to become a superstar in Pittsburgh, but as a fourth-round pick, he adds great depth and energy to one of the most important position groups on Pittsburgh’s roster.
Jack Sawyer film room.
One of my favorite value picks by the Steelers in this draft. Isn’t likely to become a superstar, but adds solid depth to their OLB room, has a versatile skill set, plays with power and tenacity, and is a great locker room presence.@FFSNSteelCity pic.twitter.com/BAD8kzq6WG
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) April 27, 2025
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