Report: Steelers host former Commanders LB for visit.
According to NFL source Aaron Wilson, the Steelers invited linebacker Khaleke Hudson for a visit on Tuesday.
Washington drafted Hudson in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Hudson finished his final season as a Wolverine with 102 total tackles and two sacks. His greatest season as a player came in 2023 with the Commanders, when the 6’0, 220-pound linebacker started all 17 games, collecting eight starts, 74 total tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed. Hudson has played 58 games in the NFL, starting 12 of them. After college, he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard sprint. Read a portion of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s 2020 scouting report for him below:
Undersized safety turned linebacker who uses toughness and tenacity to compensate for his lack of characteristics. His productivity has been fairly outstanding in two of the last three seasons, although he is quicker than fast and has a limited range. Hudson’s lack of stature is evident near the line of scrimmage, and he isn’t as effective in coverage as he should be. His ability to block punts should draw notice, but it may not be sufficient to compensate for inadequacies at linebacker or safety.
In an odd coincidence, Washington selected Hudson with a pick that was previously held by the Steelers. In 2019, Pittsburgh traded the pick to Seattle for tight end Nick Vannett. The Seahawks subsequently traded the pick to Washington in exchange for cornerback Quinton Dunbar, with Washington eventually selecting Hudson with the pick. The Steelers essentially traded Hudson for Vannett in 2019, but in a full circle situation, Hudson might be added to the roster years later.
Despite signing a high-profile linebacker in Patrick Queen during free agency, the Steelers appear to be looking for more depth at the position. Hudson, a former safety, has a unique skill set, lots of NFL experience, and special teams talent, making him an intriguing prospect for the Steelers.