The Pittsburgh-steelers/20363/”>Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their roster in early October by adding two key players: offensive lineman Max Scharping and edge rusher Eku Leota. Scharping joined the team from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad, while Leota was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad to strengthen their depth at outside linebacker. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Steelers secured Leota on October 1 to address their edge-rushing depth.
Eku Leota, a former undrafted free agent, began his NFL journey with the Carolina Panthers. Despite showing promise during his time with the Panthers, the team released him on September 24, 2024, after starting the season on their roster.
Before entering the NFL, Leota was projected as a potential fifth-round pick by NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. Zierlein praised Leota as the “definition of a 3-4 strong side outside linebacker,” citing his toughness and strength in battling along the edge. Zierlein added that Leota’s relentless effort on every snap made him a valuable asset, particularly in schemes like the Steelers’ 3-4 defense.
While Leota’s initial NFL experience with the Panthers didn’t match Zierlein’s fifth-round projection, his potential remains evident. In 10 games with Carolina, Leota registered 8 combined tackles, 3 of which were for loss, and added a sack and a quarterback hit to his stats. Despite limited opportunities, he made an impression by starting in Week 2 of the 2024 season and playing 77 Defensive snaps in eight games. His ability to take on tackles and tight ends effectively could make him a valuable addition to Pittsburgh’s defensive unit.
The Steelers’ decision to bring in Leota comes as they continue to emphasize edge-rushing depth. With a 3-4 defensive scheme that thrives on pressure from outside linebackers, Leota’s skill set aligns well with the team’s needs. Zierlein’s analysis suggested that Leota could develop into a strong run defender and possibly a future starter in the 3-4 system, given the right development.
Leota’s journey began at Northwestern, where he played three seasons for the Wildcats. During his time there, he recorded 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He then transferred to Auburn, where he spent two more seasons, posting 9 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 41 total tackles in 18 games. His college career also included 3 forced fumbles and 1 pass defense, showcasing his versatility and ability to create turnovers.
The only other outside linebacker currently on the Steelers’ practice squad is Adetokunbo Ogundeji. Adding Leota provides the team with another option to develop and potentially promote to the active roster should injuries arise or additional depth be required.
In addition to signing Leota, the Steelers made a series of other roster moves to start October. They strengthened their offensive line by adding Scharping from the Commanders’ practice squad, addressing a need for depth. To create space for Scharping on the active roster, the Steelers placed starting right guard James Daniels on injured reserve.
The team also signed running back La’Mical Perine to the practice squad, as reported by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Perine, a former Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, adds depth at running back following recent injuries to Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. Perine brings experience from his time with the New York Jets and Packers’ practice squad earlier this season. Although his role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl run was limited to special teams, he rushed for 77 yards on 22 attempts and caught 3 passes for 33 yards in three regular-season games.
To accommodate the additions of Leota and Perine, the Steelers made several subtractions, releasing fullback Jack Colletto and linebacker Marcus Haynes from the practice squad. Furthermore, the team released defensive backs Jalen Elliott and Darius Rush, trimming down their secondary depth.
These roster moves reflect the Steelers’ efforts to shore up their lineup as they head into the heart of the 2024 season. The addition of Leota brings toughness and aggression to their edge-rushing corps, while Scharping and Perine provide valuable depth in other key positions.
