The 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers season was a tumultuous and disappointing one. There were some bright spots and low spots and we are here to review and give an outlook moving forward into 2019.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason is underway and the 2018 review is here. The team had a disappointing 2018 season to say the least and we are here to look at the team’s roster from 2018 and give an outlook for the future.
In the second part of this three-part series, we take a look at the tight ends, offensive line and defensive line. These three position groups had a lot of bright moments and are the least drama filled groups to the team from 2018.
Tight ends
The Steelers traded for Vance McDonald in 2017 and his immediate impact was not felt until the 2018 season. He had a couple of moments in the 2017 season but it was marred with injury.
2018 proved much better for him and he showed why the Steelers got him from San Francisco. The play everyone likely remembers is the stiff-arm of Tampa Bay’s Chris Conte on MNF in week three.
McDonald made many plays like that throughout 2018, dragging and punishing defenders all over the field. He rode his own physicality to a career year of 50 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns.
He is not the only tight end on the roster as Jesse James has been with the team for a long time now. He seems to repeatedly get disrespected by the Steelers and continues to perform well.
James has improved each season he has been in Pittsburgh, most notably as a blocker. He quietly recorded 30 catches for 423 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
James has seen Pittsburgh sign Ladarius Green and then trade for Vance McDonald in his career. It seems as if the Steelers do not want him as their number one and that will likely affect his willingness to sign back with the team this offseason as he is due for free agency.
Xavier Grimble is the third tight end and I am sure everyone remembers his fumble at the goal line against Denver this season. He has shown flashes in earlier seasons but he has not done enough to move up to anything more than a number three tight end.