Get To Know Steelers’ 4th Round Pick, EDGE Jack Sawyer

With the 123rd pick of the draft, the Steelers get themselves a turnover generating edge from Ohio State.

The Steelers have made their first pick of Day 3, returning to the Big 10 well and selecting Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer. Sawyer has pedigree; coming out of high school, he was the sixth-ranked recruit in the nation, regardless of position.

A fourth-year senior, Sawyer looks like he was built in lab that exclusively produces Steelers outside linebackers. Standing 6’4 and 260 pounds with 31 1/4” arms, we don’t have many more measurables to judge Sawyer by. Because of Ohio State’s deep run through college football playoffs, many Buckeyes didn’t test until their pro day. Sawyer only did the bench press, which isn’t a highly predictive test.

But just watch the Ohio State defense and it’s not hard to picture Jack Sawyer in the black and gold. In 2024, he forced three fumbles, including this one in the CFP semifinal. Sawyer had 4.5 sacks during Ohio State’s playoff run, demonstrating a clutch gene that had to intrigue the Steelers.

And like all good Steelers edge players, Sawyer has the chops to drop into coverage and still disrupt a play. Here he is with another clutch turnover, this time against bitter rival Michigan.

Sawyer finished his college career with 25 sacks, 29 QB hits and 80 hurries. He gives the Steelers one of the deepest pass rush rotations as he joins TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.

What others are saying about Jack Sawyer

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com

He locates the football and racks up tackles when runners near his gaps. He’s a force-based rusher using strong hands, a relentless motor and a pocket-caving charge to run up pressure totals, but his rush lacks quickness. He could see more interior rush opportunities for shorter trips into the pocket. Sawyer is suited for box-based football, which could cap his pro ceiling, but his demeanor, toughness and activity level provide a higher floor.

Kyle Crabb for The 33rd Team

He is an impactful run defender who found his pass rush ceiling this season thanks to effective bull rushes and a persistent motor. This is a player who should be well regarded in base fronts as a hand in the dirt end and charged with predominantly setting edges in the run game.

Sawyer has developed into a well-regarded locker room leader at Ohio State and plays with the same passion as a high-motor player. The challenge for an NFL team will be finding the right mix of early and late down opportunities for him as a part of their rotation.