Steelers 2015 Offseason Preview Part 1: Offense
Last season I did this same article and it was one of my favorite pieces to write, so I have decided to do it again this year. The season didn’t have a great ending to it up in Steelers Country, so here is a way to look forward to a successful offseason and a successful playoff run next year.
Just like last year, the piece will be broken up into 3 parts, offense, defense, and specialists. I’ll preview all aspects of the offseason for every single position. Settle in and get ready, because Here We Go!
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger had the best season of his career in 2014 and it showed. The Steelers had arguably the best offense in the league thanks to Big Ben and his cohorts. Ben is locked in as the starter until he retires and Bruce Gradkowski is one of the better backups in the league, so there won’t be much action in this department this offseason.
There will, in all likelihood, be work towards an extension with Ben. The team will also probably try to bring in a third quarterback late in the draft to replace the woeful Landry Jones.
Draft: Possible Targets include Blake Sims, Brandon Bridge, Bryan Bennett, Connor Halliday, Taysom Hill (6th-7th round)
Free Agency: No Moves
Current Contracts: Give Ben a 3 year extension on his current contract to lock him up for the rest of his career.
Running Back
Le’Veon Bell made the biggest improvement of any Steeler this season, and arguably the biggest improvement of anyone in the league. Coming into the season I was expecting Bell to break the thousand yard mark rushing and maybe even get 1,500 total yards. He shattered each and every one of my expectations on his way to becoming the best running back in the NFL.
LeGarrette Blount chose to walk out on the team mid-season, which was in many ways a good thing, but it does leave
a hole at the backup running back position. Both Dri Archer and Josh Harris are fine as backups, but if they’re shoved into starting roles it will not be good, as we saw this past Saturday.
I’d bring someone in on Day 3 of the draft to serve as Bell’s backup. Other than that the offseason should be quiet at running back.
Draft: Possbile targets include Cameron Artis-Payne, Jeremy Langford, David Johnson, Michael Dyer, Matt Jones, Karlos Williams (4-6th round)
Free Agency: No Moves
Current Contracts: No Moves
Wide Receiver
Coming into the year it seemed like there was Antonio Brown and then everyone else at wide receiver, that is not how the picture looks coming out of the year.
Antonio Brown is another Steelers skill player that is arguably the best in the league at his position, Martavis Bryant showed a ton of promise as the team’s second option, and Markus Wheaton is a fantastic third receiver. Lance Moore even provides a nice fourth option, even if they fail to use him like they should. The current fifth receiver, Darius Heyward-Bey, has proven that he is more of a hindrance than someone who could contribute but the team does seem high on him.
I don’t think the hole at fifth receiver will be filled through the draft due to other needs, so free agency would likely be the way to fill the hole. They could also look to the practice squad and call up C.J. Goodwin.
Draft: No Moves
Free Agency: Possible targets include Darius Heyward-Bey(PIT), Justin Brown(FA), and Nate Washington(TEN)
Current Contracts: Current practice squad receiver C.J. Goodwin could be signed to the active roster.
Tight End
Despite Heath Miller being on the wrong side of 30, he is still one of the best all-around tight ends in the league. Other than him, there isn’t much to write home about.
Backup Matt Spaeth is a good blocker, but he’s pretty much a liability as a receiver and would be better suited as the third tight end. Michael Palmer really doesn’t bring anything to the team and hopefully he isn’t brought back next season. If they add another tight end it is, thankfully, unlikely he will.
Once again due to limited cap space I would surprised if the upgrade at tight end doesn’t come from the draft. I’d expect a tight end to be drafted at the end of Day 2 or the beginning of Day 3.
Draft: Possible targets include Tyler Kroft, Clive Walford, Jesse James, and E.J. Bibbs (3rd-5th round)
Free Agency: No Moves
Current Contracts: No Moves
Offensive Tackle
Kelvin Beachum has transformed from someone who might be able to be a starting left tackle, into a legitimate starting left tackle. Marcus Gilbert has even made big strides from the beginning to the end of the season as well.
Mike Adams is the only backup on the roster right now and after the huge disappointment that he’s been, I expect
him to be sent packing since his contract is up.
I would look for the front office to bring in once backup tackle from the draft and one from free agency. Since the tackles are relatively young I would look for a veteran to be brought in via free agency.
Draft: Possible targets include Ereck Flowers, Daryl Williams, Tyrus Thompson, and Andrus Peat (3rd-4th round)
Free Agency: Possible targets include Michael Roos(TEN) and Mike Adams(PIT)
Current Contracts: Given that Kelvin Beachum is an up-and-coming left tackle, I could see an extension coming to make sure he’s locked up if his stock rises.
Interior OL
On the interior the future is looking bright in Pittsburgh. Maurkice Pouncey had a very good rebound from ACL surgery. Cody Wallace is also a very good backup at center.
At guard, David DeCastro is turning into the beast the Steelers envisioned when they drafted him. On the other side, Ramon Foster isn’t anything special but he also doesn’t need to be upgraded. Chris Hubbard is good enough for a backup guard and and ninth lineman.
I don’t think there are really going to be any changes from the guys who protected on the interior this past year.
Draft: No Moves
Free Agency: Possible Targets include Chris Hubbard(PIT)
Current Contract: David DeCastro only has one year left on his contract so I expect there to be efforts made to sign him to an extension.
There you go. There is my preview for the Steelers offseason on offense. Next week my defensive preview will come out, followed by my special teams preview. What did you think Steelers Nation?