Steelers Showing Interest in Stephon Tuitt-Like Gervon Dexter

INDIANAPOLIS --  Last offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers were hit with the news that long-time starter Stephon Tuitt was retiring from the NFL. Without a concrete answer for the future, could they turn their attention to another similarly built prospect in Florida's Gervon Dexter? 

Dexter is an underclassman who left early for the NFL Draft and is listed at a gigantic 6-6, 310 pounds with plus length to boot.

If nothing else, the Steelers are clearly doing their homework on the former Gator defender as Dexter confirmed that he already had a formal meeting with the team in Indianapolis. 

For his on-field showing, he's continuing to work on his pass-rushing skills. 

"I talk with Mr. John Randle a lot and try to pick his brain on how to rush the passer," Dexter said. "I'm just trying to add to my game and my rushing ability."

In regards to his two-hand swipe or cross-chop move, Dexter explained that "I'm a bigger guy and when you're in a 3-technique, you don't have too much space and you have a timer on when you have to get to the quarterback." 

"I'm looking to free myself up a little quicker so after that initial bull rush or initial punch, just cleaning myself up," he continued.

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Dexter is a former multi-sport athlete and is a basketball player that just so happened to be turned into a football player but said the decision to leave basketball was "tough."

"Coach Napier has something good going for them over there, and if I was to come back, I would be a part of that," Dexter said. "So it was a tough decision that came down to the last minute but after speaking with them and my position coach, I felt like we made the best decision."

He spoke highly of his position coach Sean Spencer, who came to Florida this past season after spending multiple years with the New York Giants. 

"Just speaking with him, knowing my abilities and him coaching some of the guys that he's coached let me know that I could play at this level," Dexter said. "Knowing what I have in my tank and knowing that I haven't hit my peak yet has made it easier for me."

Since he had already met with the Steelers formally, I wanted to know what impressions he had of Mike Tomlin and the Steelers staff. 

"Those guys are amazing, man," Dexter told All Steelers. "They're straightforward with it. I looked them in the eyes, and they're completely honest, man. They're great guys, and they love what they do."

While he's stylistically built a bit like Stephon Tuitt, Dexter informed me that he actually models his game after Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones. 

"Definitely his length, the way that he rushes, the way that he power rushes and then clean himself up like I spoke about earlier," he said. "That's kind of who I model myself after."

In the short term, pairing a player as talented as Dexter next to Cam Heyward has to be pretty enticing for the Pittsburgh front office. Not only would that be extremely beneficial now but it could pay massive dividends later as Dexter has the type of build and athletic traits that are typically difficult to find at the position. 

A likely day two selection, Dexter has a lot left on the runway and will surely be a name to watch throughout the rest of the draft process.