The Steelers will invite explosive pass rusher Elerson Smith for a visit on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Smith paid a visit to the New England Patriots yesterday before heading to Pittsburgh.
Smith, 25, was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was with the Giants from 2021 to 2023, but he was released at the start of training camp and has yet to find work elsewhere. Smith has played little in his brief career due to injury more than poor performance. He was on injured reserve four times with the Giants, yet he had amazing stats.
He graduated from Northern Iowa with a 41.5-inch vertical and a 7.11 three-cone. His agility and burst fit in well with the Steelers’ preference for athletic pass rushers off the edge. During his three years with the Giants, Smith has one forced fumble and 11 total tackles.
Smith began his career at the FCS level with Northern Iowa prior to entering the NFL. Smith had 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss as a redshirt junior, earning him FCS All-American honors. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2020 FCS season was postponed until the spring of 2021, and Smith was voted FCS Defensive Player of the Year in the preseason before declaring for the NFL Draft. He was invited to the Senior Bowl after impressing enough in Mobile to earn an invite to the NFL Combine.
In Minneapolis, the 6-foot-6 pass rusher participated in football, track and field, wrestling, and basketball. After dealing with injuries in the early stages of his career, he is now hunting for his second NFL team. The Steelers have five outside linebackers on their roster, with David Perales serving as the team’s lone practice squad member.
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