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A Position by Position Need Breakdown for the Steelers

With the combine just about to start and free agency just around the corner, I figured now would be a good time to make the offseason needs list. I hope to update this as the offseason continues and the Steelers add more and subtract players. I’ll list each position, give a need out of ten, and give my explanation of why and where I expect the team to look to fill this. I’ll try and update this on the eve of free agency and closer to the draft. This will be the broadest overlook due to the early stages of the offseason.

QB:

Need: -1/10

Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. The Steelers perceived "need" at QB is way overhyped by just about everyone. As of this writing, Big Ben is expected to be back and to be starting by week 1 of next season. So, there is no need for a starter. There is a demand for a new backup QB and/or the QB of the future. For the latter, the team has almost no draft capitol to get a QB. They could settle in the second round for developmental guy, but QB’s are a very first round or bust type of position. The occasional later round guy will find his way to the starting position, but it is more common that guy needs to be a first-round pick. Rudolph has looked up and down, and personally I have no opinion on him as the QB of the future. He deserves more time to prove himself in my opinion. If the team feels they need a new QB, 2021’s first rounder is a logical spot to look for one. As backups, both Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges are fine options. Realistically, you should expect your backup QB to be able to play in 3 games a year. If you can expect them to go 2-1 or even 1-2 in those games, they are an adequate backup. Having a backup play for the entire season is an anomaly and not something that should be expected every year. Thus, rolling with Rudolph and Duck makes sense in 2020. The only possible addition is a UDFA that takes JT’s spot in training camp.

RB:

Need: 2/10

In a similar vain to QB, RB is an overhyped need for this team. I know, Connor can’t stay healthy, but Benny Snell looked like he can be a solid backup who can start if Connor isn’t available. Likewise, he should drop some weight in order to get quicker (most Steelers RB’s do that in year 2). After that, Samuels, Whyte, and Edmunds will be fighting for the 3rd and possibly 4th spot on the roster. I don’t expect a FA to make his way to Pittsburgh, but a late round RB is always a possibility considering how devalued the position is. Unless a stud falls into the 3rd round though, I wouldn’t expect a RB until the 6th/7th/UDFA range.

WR:

Need: 4/10

WR is an interesting position this offseason. The top three are easily set, with JuJu, Johnson, and Washington all set to return as starters. After that, the room is wide open for the next 2-3 spots that may be available. No matter how you feel about the current reserves, new talent can always be added. A low-level FA could be a target, especially someone that has a little experience considering the youth in this room. Look for names that would be willing to take a vet minimum contract. In terms of the draft, I think the team could start targeting a WR as high as the 4th round. I personally like the idea of adding a more slot type WR that can attack the middle of the field (Van Jefferson). The team could also target a tall deep threat, but we have a potential guy like Deon Cain to fill that void. Either option makes sense as a draft target though. All in all, it isn’t a high position of need considering the starters, but it is a position I expect to be addressed for depth.

TE

Need: 7/10

We have it, the first big need! TE has been a disaster recently. McDonald is so up and down, let alone the fact he’s fragile. While reports seem to indicate he will remain with the Steelers, there is no guarantee he will if the team needs the cap relief. This grade assumes he is back next year. That still leaves a hole though. McDonald is best served playing about 50% of the offensive snaps. That means we need a #2 that can compensate for the rest. Jesse James was perfect for that, as he was a steady low-end starter. Vannett looked less like that, and considering how bloated the TE market is, he is no guarantee to return. This represents what seems most likely right now: McDonald is back and Vannett is gone. Considering the market, signing a #2 TE is likely not an option. Those guys can fetch 4-6 million AAV (James, Jesse; Boyle, Nick). Instead, the team should look for a higher round guy that can develop into the #1. My personal crush is Trautman, but Hopkins showed at least some willingness to block on tape as well. I expect a TE to be taken with one of the top two picks. If McDonald is cut, this need level will rocket up.

OT

Need: 4/10

The OL is in a weird spot. Foster seems likely to be cut, meaning we will have a hole at OG. Feiler, likely to be retained on a RFA tender, can easily shift down to OG, but then RT all of a sudden is open. Chukes and Banner would battle it out likely, with the other one being a swing tackle. Still though, Big Al has a contract that expires next year, and the team may not have the cap to retain him. While a FA isn’t likely due to cost, this draft class is deep at OT. If a first round prospect like Josh Jones or Austin Jackson is sitting at 49, it would be hard to pass up. That way, Feiler shifts inside, the rookie starts at RT, and the team has a potential fill in if Big Al leaves. This isn’t a huge need, but one that could be filled if the value is right.

IOL

Need: 8/10

Easily the biggest need on the team, the interior talent is getting overhauled this year. Foster is a likely cap casualty and Finney is destined to head to greener pastures. This means we have no starting OG across from DeCastro and no backup on the inside. Again, Feiler has the capability to move to OG, but that leaves a hole at backup OG/C. A low level center who is willing to play for close to the minimum could be signed. Likewise, a OG/C such as Lloyd Cushenberry or Tyler Biadasz is a target for pick 49. They could start at OG, keeping Feiler at RT while also serving as a backup to Pouncey (they would move to C and Feiler would kick inside). Considering the need at both starter and backup, IOL seems like the highest priority this offseason.

DL

Need: 5.5/10

Hargrave is as good as gone, meaning the NT position is likely to be manned by Big Dan as of now. What is more likely is a mid-tier FA is brought in (think Timmy Jernigan) as our only "splash FA" signing to fill in the starter spot. Afterwards, I think NT can and should be a target for the draft. I would expect a body to be added anywhere from rounds 2-4 depending on how the board falls. What keeps the need so low even when losing a great starter is that NT plays in roughly 35-40% of the snaps. The position is being phased away, meaning that if the team is weak there, it can be covered by sub package football. In terms of DE’s, the team is set. Tuitt and Heyward are dominant, while Alualu is a steady backup. Buggs flashed as a rookie as well, so while some UDFA’s are brought in as camp bodies, I wouldn’t expect a draft pick to be used unless the value is way too good to pass up.

Edge

Need: 2/10

All signs point to Bud Dupree being brought back in some form or fashion in 2020. Assuming he is, no matter for how long, this group is set. Chickillo is a likely cut, but there is still depth at this position. Skipper and Ola have both flashed promise in their young careers and should be expected to control the backup spots. A late round/UDFA rookie will be brought in, and the team could also target a vet minimum in FA for depth, but the group seems pretty set for 2020.

ILB

Need: 3.5/10

Bush and Vince Williams are beyond qualified to start. Barron is solid as a rotational piece, but he may be cut for cap relief. If he is, this number will jump a little (4.5ish). UG3 flashed in preseason as a rookie, but he can’t be expected to be the full time backup next year. If Barron is released, I’d expect a minor contract for a veteran to be brought in. A draft pick as well could be seen in the 6th-7th round, but that would be more of a Dirty Red replacement on special teams.

CB

Need: 1/10

Even with Artie Burns on his way out, the CB group is strong this year. Nelson and Haden were great as starters while Sutton and Hilton rotated well in the slot. The team invested a 3rd round pick in Layne as well, adding to the strong depth at the position. The 6th/7th picks could be a CB if a prospect they like falls, but more than likely a group of practice squad and UDFA’s will compete for a potential 6th spot.

S

Need: 5/10

Both of the starters are set. Edmunds, like it or not, is still the SS while Fitzpatrick is our hero at FS. The problem lies that the depth behind them is abysmal. Jordan Dangerfield is a ST’er only, while Marcus Allen has bounced on and off the roster. I see a potential veteran being brought in as the minimal "splash FA" signing. As well, any of the day three picks make sense to grab a S. The team should try to have a decent 3rd option for sub package and depth. They don’t have that guy right now which aids the "5" rating on the needs list.



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