Daniel

McCullers

McCullers has never played more than 182 defensive snaps for the Steelers, but he continues to stick around as a run-plugging option along the defensive line. That should be his role again this season.

“I think he really understands what it takes to play in this league better than he ever has before,” Mitchell continued. “I’m very pleased with where he’s at.” A gargantuan 6-foot-7, 352 coming out of college, McCullers has dropped weight as he attempts to take hold of the starting nose job vacated by Steve McLendon. McCullers will need to beat out third-rounder Javon Hargrave.

McCullers measured in at 6-foot-7, 352 pounds at the 2014 combine, but he played at closer to 365 pounds last season. After only managing 65 regular season snaps his rookie year, McCullers will be given the opportunity to push current NT Steve McLendon in camp.

McCullers is a former 420-pounder that now weighs around 360 at 6-foot-6 7/8. In order to make the final roster as a two-down run-stuffer, he needs to show an ability to get off blocks and find the ball carrier. “Run to the ball. That’s what they’ve wanted me to do from the moment they brought me here,” McCullers said.

The Steelers don’t have any proven options behind Steve McLendon, but McCullers is a long shot to open the season as the No. 2 nose tackle. At 6'7/352, he could eventually be a two-down run-stuffer in Pittsburgh’s 3-4. McCullers played just two seasons at Tennessee and is going to be a project. Brown believes anything the Steelers get from McCullers in 2014 will be a bonus.

McCullers (6-foot-6 7/8, 352) played nose tackle for the Vols, starting for two seasons after a JUCO transfer. He tallied ten tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two blocked kicks. A onetime 400-pounder, McCullers is a massive human with fire hose-like 36 5/8-inch arms and 11-inch hands, but was easily beaten with leverage at times in the SEC, and likely won’t succeed on the interior in the pros. He projects best as a two-down, run-stopping five technique who will never contribute as a pass rusher and might have to fight to make the roster.

McCullers, 25, was a lightly used reserve for last year’s Steelers, playing limited snaps in just five appearances. He is a massive man at 6-foot-7, 352. McCullers will compete for playing time behind starting NT Javon Hargrave.