The Steelers still have a plethora of needs after the draft, and with the Super Bowl window closing, theses needs must be filled
While the Steelers did a good job of adding talent during the 2020 NFL Draft, there are still quite a few holes on the roster that need to be filled. While players like Chase Claypool and Alex Highsmith present good value for the Steelers, leaving S and NT unaddressed until late in the draft is a cause for concern for the Steelers.
While it is expected to have some thin spots on a roster every year, the Steelers are in a rare circumstance. With Ben Roethlisberger entering the final year or two of his hall of fame career, the Steelers need to do everything they can to ensure the best possible roster is put in place for a potential Super Bowl run. Having holes anywhere on the roster inhibits those odds.
With the compensatory formula now set, meaning no other additions will affect the Steelers comp picks next year. While it isn’t like the Steelers to add players this late in the offseason, it is needed this year with the holes that are present on the roster. Filling out the remainder of the depth chart with talented starters and capable depth is vital in giving the team the best chance for success in 2020.
This goes beyond the two needs listed above, as there are options currently available on the market that would be valuable in a Steelers uniform. All of these options should come in cheap and should be likely to serve as key backups or even, in some circumstances, starters. While the Steelers certainly can win without these players, adding them to the roster heightens their chance at going to the Super Bowl.
Alec Ogletree
Alec Ogletree is a former first-round pick who has progressively seen his role diminish over the years. Last year he played his least amount of snaps outside of 2015 when he was injured. That said, he has been a steady producer each year. Last year with the Giants, Ogletree logged 80 tackles and a sack along with an INT.
Those numbers are solid and considering the lack of depth at the ILB position, adding a starting capable option like Ogletree on the cheap makes sense. While Vince Williams is currently slotted to be the other starter, he took a back seat to Mark Barron last year. There are some obvious questions at the position, and Ogletree could help answer some of them.
If the Steelers could find a way to get Ogletree on a minimum deal or a cheap two-year deal, he would help fill out the roster. He could compete with Williams as a starter or rotate in as a top depth option as a reserve. The biggest issue is his lack of special teams play but considering the added rookies special teams’ ability this year, having a defense only backup is feasible. All in all, he would complete the depth chart at ILB if he were to be added.
Tedric Thompson
While the Steelers starters at FS and SS are set for this year, there is a huge question mark as to who will be their backups. Considering the importance of the position and the fact that a number three can see the field in sub packages, adding a competent reserve seems vital. In steps Tedric Thompson, a young option who was released by the Seahawks recently.
Thompson has starting experience in the three years he has been in the league. While his tape as a starter isn’t great (leading to his demotion and release), he would do well as a niche reserve and top backup. As well, he is more of a deep FS, meaning he would be a realistic backup to Minkah Fitzpatrick (something the Steelers don’t have).
Adding Thompson doesn’t mean the Steelers are giving up on their younger guys like Marcus Allen or recently drafted Antoine Brooks since they are both more suited as box safeties. Thompson would give the team flexibility and key depth at a position that has become a relatively strong one. As well, he has experience on special teams, meaning he can add value at more than just defense.
Based on his age, he would likely only want a one-year deal to try and recoup his value. That said, I believe the Steelers could offer him a respectable two-year deal that strengthens the depth and allows him some time to build his value. After not adding a true S in this draft, finding one on the market is a must.
Mike Daniels
After losing Javon Hargrave to the Eagles and not addressing the position until the 7th round of the draft, the Steelers currently have Daniel McCullers slotted as their starting NT. While the position has been devalued in the modern NFL, the Steelers still relay on their NT to play 200-300 snaps. While it isn’t vital to have an all-pro there, relaying on McCullers for a full season is a risky proposition.
In steps in Mike Daniels, who plays more like an undersized DE but has the body of an NT. He was a stud in Green Bay but has seen his role in the NFL shrink overtime, logging his worst season last year in Detroit. That said, Daniels provides consistency at the position as well as being a decent pass rusher in the middles.
While he isn’t the player he once was, he still provides a better option than any of the current Steelers on the roster. This way, McCullers can fight for the backup role with rookie Carlos Davis. As well, considering his prior season and diminishing role, his contract shouldn’t be that large, and if the Steelers could space it out over two years it would keep his first-year cap hit near the bottom.
Dante Pettis
The Steelers don’t have an inherent need at WR after the draft, but if they could add a talent like Dante Pettis for next to nothing they should strike. Pettis is a great option in the slot and has a lot of return capability as well. He is still on his rookie contract, meaning he will be cheap for the next two years in Pittsburgh.
After adding Claypool, the Steelers are set with their outside WRs, but there are still some questions out of the slot. While JuJu Smith-Schuster usually plays in the slot, there isn’t anyone behind him that could capably fill in. The current backup would be Ryan Switzer, an option that has long drawn the ire of Steelers nation. Pettis would fill in both there and would be a viable option as a returner.
He would have to be traded for, which is his biggest downside. He had a down year last year and the team has brought in plenty of options to take his roster spot though, so I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a huge cost. My guess at a trade would look like the Steelers 2020 4th for Pettis and the 49ers 5th.
While adding Pettis isn’t vital, it would give the Steelers a deep stable of options at WR. As well, he could be slotted in as the return man, giving an upgrade to a position the Steelers have been lackluster in. Assuming the 49ers would take a lower end deal like the one outlined above, it would make adding Pettis a low risk, high reward deal for the Steelers.
With the Super Bowl window closing, the Steelers need to do everything they can to field the best team to maximize this time. By adding any of the players listed, it helps fill out the depth chart as well as adding players with starter upside. The Steelers resources are limited, but it shouldn’t stop them from adding the players they need to in order to win.