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Miami Hurricanes DE Quincy Roche expected to have instant impact with Steelers

By Alan Rubenstein

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Defensive Lineman Quincy Roche #55 from Miami of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Defensive Lineman Quincy Roche #55 from Miami of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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After playing one season for the Miami Hurricanes in 2020, defensive end Quincy Roche was a sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roche was drafted over 100 spots lower than his ranking as the 98th best player on the 2021 consensus big board. Pittsburgh will play Roche as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.

Pittsburgh led the NFL with 56 sacks in 2020. The Steelers lost edge rusher, Bud Dupree, in free agency. The two leading returning sackers for Pittsburgh return in 2021. T.J. Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks in 2020. Stephen Truitt was second on the Steelers with eight sacks last season. Alex Highsmith will be in the rotation.

Roche and Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick Greg Rousseau was overshadowed at Miami Hurricanes Pro Day by Jaelan Phillips who was selected 18th overall in the first round by the Dolphins. Rousseau was fortunate to be selected 30th after it appeared he might fall into the second round leading up to the draft.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports projected on Friday that Pittsburgh got a steal drafting Roche. Trapasso projects Roche as one of six-day three draftees who will have an instant impact in 2021. Roche would see to project behind Highsmith and Watt at OLB. Truitt plays DE in the Steelers 3-4.

"Quincy Roche, EDGE, SteelersRound 6, No. 216 overallThe Steelers got quality contributions from first-year edge rusher Alex Highsmith in 2020, but gone is Bud Dupree, and every club needs a steady No. 3 rusher in today’s pass-obsessed NFL. Despite only playing in 11 games last year, shortened due to injury, Dupree was on the field for 59% of Pittsburgh’s snaps in the regular season.There’s an opportunity for Roche to make a name for himself early in the NFL. And he has the game to do it.Pittsburgh got him on the bargain rack in the sixth round. He likely fell because of his smaller stature on a subpar workout at the Miami pro day, but the former Temple and Miami star has a developed arsenal of pass-rushing moves and plays much bendier around the corner than his measured athleticism would indicate.In Pittsburgh, Roche can be a classic, stand-up rush linebacker, and his refined game bodes well for his ability to make an instant impact."

After Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season for the Miami Hurricanes. Miami will have to replace Phillips and Roche in 2021. Phillips and Roche combined for 90 tackles 30 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in 2020 for Miami. After playing DE in 4-3 defenses at Temple and Miami, making the switch to OLB will be vital.

dark. Next. Quincy Roche projected to have 10 sacks for Steelers by ESPN analyst

The ability for Roche to develop in a new position quickly will determine how quickly he will make an impact for Pittsburgh. Miami head coach Manny Diaz has routinely produced defensive linemen and edge rushers in his five seasons with the Hurricanes. Phillips, Roche and Rousseau project to be the three best edge rushers from Miami.

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