Ranking the Steelers offensive positional groups in 2019
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2019 season with a number of new faces on the offensive side of the ball. Here is how I have their offensive positional groups ranked this year.
The Steelers boasted one of the best offenses in the NFL a season ago. However, since the end of 2018, they have seen a lot of change on offense.
While former All-Pro players in Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell are no longer around, they added some new talent in the draft. Here is how I ranked each offensive positional group heading into the 2019 season:
1. Offensive line
The first of my offensive rankings was really a no-brainer. Pittsburgh possesses one of the best offensive lines in the business, and after keeping their core players together, should do the same again in 2019.
Though Marcus Gilbert is no longer with the organization, Matt Feiler (who started 10 games in his absence) was more than adequate when called upon last season. The Steelers have 3 Pro Bowl offensive lineman, and a variety of talent to go with them.
2. Quarterbacks
Close to the Steelers offensive line rankings is their quarterback situation. Pittsburgh really has a little bit of everything they need. Ben Roethlisberger is a still a top 10 passer, despite his age. He led the Steelers to one of the most high-powered offenses in 2018.
Outside of Ben are two young quarterbacks with lots of potential: Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph. Dobbs was the Steelers number two quarterback in 2018, and was fantastic in the preseason. The Steelers also added Rudolph last year, who should provide added competition and depth to the position.
3. Running backs
What was once thought to be a weakness entering the 2018 season is turning out to be a strength for the Steelers. James Conner was a Pro Bowl running back in his first year starting in Pittsburgh, and seems poised to carry the load.
In addition, Jaylen Samuels proved to be a welcome addition to the backfield with added receiving ability. The Steelers also spent a 4th round draft choice on Benny Snell, who should see plenty of touches as a rookie and provide a solid insurance policy for James Conner in the event of an injury.
4. Wide receiver
The Steelers were once talked about as perhaps the best receiving core in the league. Once dominated by the likes of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh is down to just one of the three on the roster.
With new, unproven additions to the wide receiver positions in James Washington and Diontae Johnson, it remains to be seen how Steelers’ receivers will fare in 2019. In addition, Donte Moncrief’s role in Pittsburgh is still up in the air. They will need an added boost from these three players if they want to remain a respectable group in this league.
5. Tight end
The worst offensive positional group of all (possibly by a wide margin) is tight end. The Steelers have a very solid and well-rounded option in Vance McDonald as their starter. However, depth is severely lacking outside of him.
Jesse James left for the Lions in free agency, and Xavier Grimble (who has always been on the edge of a roster spot) will be forced into the number two tight end role. Late round rookie, Zach Gentry stands to be the most viable option as the Steelers number three tight end, but he has only played the position for a few years.
Steelers T.J. Watt not mentioned in a list of best edge defenders. dark. Next
The Steelers certainly have things they need to work on when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. While their offensive line and quarterback groups remain solid foundations to the roster, there are a lot of questions at receiver and tight end. We will soon find out just what kind of strengths and weaknesses this offense may carry in 2019.