3 positions that need upgraded the most on the Steelers

Even with the Steelers landing some contributors in free agency and selecting nine players in the 2019 NFL Draft, there are still positions that are in desperate need of help.

The Steelers strengthened the middle of their defense in a big way by drafting Michigan LB Devin Bush. They also drafted two other linebackers and brought in Mark Barron in free agency.

But while Pittsburgh focused on improving positions like inside linebacker, they elected to ignore some areas in need of improvement.

Here are the three positions that still need upgraded the most for the Steelers heading into 2019:

Safety

To the amazement of nearly everyone, the Steelers failed to use one of their nine draft choices on a safety this year. I recently wrote about how Pittsburgh needs to address the safety position. As it stands, 2018 first round pick, Terrell Edmunds is the current starter at strong safety and 2016 2nd rounder Sean Davis is starting at free safety.

Neither safety has a great pedigree of work, and as high draft choices, both have a lot to prove in 2019. With Davis at 25 years old and Edmunds at just 22, the Steelers posses a tandem of some of the youngest starting safeties in the league.

The depth behind these proven players is even more concerning. It sounds like the Steelers are going to rely on last years’ 5th round pick, Marcus Allen, to play the dime backer role that Morgan Burnett was known for last season. However, Allen and fellow backup safety Jordan Dangerfield have next to no game experience.

The Steelers need help in a big way at safety. If Sean Davis were to go down, the Steelers don’t have a player on the team that could play that free safety role. Perhaps they experiment with a cornerback like Cameron Sutton or Brian Allen. Either way, Pittsburgh put themselves in a scary situation when they elected to ignore the safety position in the draft and free agency.

Edge rusher

The Steelers picked up Bud Dupree’s 5th year option in 2019 – guaranteeing his $9.2M salary this year. Dupree, however, will be a free agent in 2020, and the Steelers have to be concerned about giving him a big deal.

Bud Dupree has managed no more than six sacks in a single season for the Steelers and has been wildly inconsistent.  Pittsburgh drafted just one edge player in the 6th round this year, but that player (Sutton Smith) is likely too undersized to play on the edge in the NFL.

T.J. Watt is a player the Steelers could build their defense around, but outside of him, Pittsburgh is left with Bud Dupree, Anthony Chickillo, and Ola Adeniyi.

After 4 years in the league, we know who Dupree and Chickillo are at this point. Perhaps Adeniyi can take a step up from his promising preseason performance in his rookie season, but that is no guarantee.

The Steelers repeatedly passed on talented edge rushers in a strong draft class in 2019. They may be paying the price for that this year.

Tight end

The Steelers did very little to address the tight end position this offseason. Jesse James signed with the Lions in free agency, and Pittsburgh hasn’t yet brought in anybody to replace him.

Instead, the Steelers threw a 5th round pick at a former quarterback, Zach Gentry. Gentry tested as a below average athlete and is raw to the tight end position.

Vance McDonald can be a beast when healthy. The problem is, he’s never played a full season. Xavier Grimble is pegged as the number two tight end, but the Steelers could really use another option outside of McDonald.

A lot like Sean Davis at free safety, if Vance McDonald were to miss significant time, the Steelers would be tight end situation would be in a very bad way.