Steelers Draft Options at Tight End

The Steelers need to replace Heath Miller and there’s a couple possibilities in the draft at tight end

So as we’re all aware, Heath Miller is retiring. And although for much his career the Steelers offense has been defined by players like Ben, Ward, Parker, and now Brown and Bell too, his absence is just as hard to make up for. Heath Miller was easy to take for granted for many years. We all expected him to retire soon, just not this soon, and sometime before kickoff in early fall the hole he made when he left needs to be filled.

The Steeles have many options at filling the spot. Internally, Jesse James showed some promise and some fans thought, in limited action, he might develop into a viable heir to the Heath thrown. He has the ability to be a big target in the middle and is a decent blocker too. But next year is when we hoped he might be ready.

So barring some leaps in development this offseason, which is possible, we’re going to want to supplement what we have with some additions to the roster at tight end. Heath Miller took 4 million in cap space with him along with his versatile and formidable skill set. The free agent field is pretty solid with tight ends.

There’s not the elite level, all-pro player, but the Steelers couldn’t afford that anyway. But there is plenty of good tight end available out there. Players like Dwayne Allen or Jared Cook, maybe even a Ladarius Green might be interesting additions.

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This article is going to focus on the draft however. This years draft class at tight end is decent. It’s not spectacular, but there’s plenty of early and middle round talent that is worth taking a look at.

So let’s take a look at some.

Hunter Henry, Arkansas – Henry is definitely the cream of the crop in this years class. He’s the only TE in 2016 who could be considered first round talent, although late 1st round, which happens to be where the Steelers are. In fact, Lance Zierlein of ESPN had the Steelers taking Henry in his mock draft even before Miller’s retirement. Henry stands 6’6″ and weighs 255. He’s a very well rounded player. Henry has the blocking and receiving skills to make him and obvious possible replacement for Miller.

Austin Hooper, Stanford – If Henry is the consensus for best TE in the draft, Hooper is the consensus number two. Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter tweeted that Hooper has a meeting planned with the Steelers. He’s 6’4″ and 248. He’s a solid blocker but could stand to improve there. Where he really excels is having good hands and great route running. Hooper is able to get open and make catches in the middle of the field. He’s a player the Steelers have their eye on.

Nick Vannett, Ohio State – The Steelers have a long history of drafting players from the marquee football school of their neighboring state, Cam Heyward and Ryan Shazier are recent examples, and Vannett may continue that trend and join former teammate Doran Grant with the Steelers. Vannett is 6’6″ and weighs 260. He was stuck as the 2nd tight end for several season and did not have a friendly offense but has shown enough, and more in the Senior Bowl and measurables to draw plenty of draft attention.

Bryce Williams, East Carolina – There’s a lot to like about Williams. He has had very good stats over his collegiate career. Williams is 6’6″ and weighs 258. Williams is a converted fullback who is ready and able to throw blocks. He also has the athletic skill and ability to use his size to produce in the receiving game. He comes from a small school though and didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl. Still, a name worth remembering.

Jerell Adams, South Carolina – Adams stands 6’5″ and weighs 244. His stats have improved every year he’s been with South Carolina where they peaked his senior year despite a weak passing offense. He also had an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl.

At the end of the day, even some of the players I listed are probably not realistic immediate solutions. The TE class is not particularly strong this year. If the Steelers want to find someone who can walk in and start on day one they have to go with Henry, or at least Hooper.

Anyone else is probably not going to be an obvious improvement over what James would probably do this year. It’s not unreasonable that the Steelers might employee the throw everything at the wall approach that they’ve tried with the secondary over the past few years and get a mid/late round tight end anyway, to compete with James, but also to add another part of the offense for Haley to play with if they both develop.

Next: Steelers offense: underrated needs

Regardless, definitely keep an eye on Henry or Hooper, possibly Vannett too.

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