The starting 2020 Steelers roster looks like a playoff-ready team on paper. However, when you peel back the layers the Steelers have a few holes on the roster that still need filling.
The first team practices for the Steelers likely not going to happen till late July. The players will report to camp fresh off six months of no football activities. Now, we have seen lots of players working out on social media. However, we don’t know how all the players are going to handle their fitness.
There is going to be a lot of players who come to camp out of football shape. This is going to come with more muscular and tendon injuries than we’ve seen since 2011. That season, the players held out till training camp for a new CBA. The new CBA was welcomed, but many guys like former Steelers linebacker James Harrison went down with injuries.
There are going to be a few positions on the Steelers that are a mid-to-long-term injury away from serious issues. The back end of Pittsburgh’s defense would completely change how it plays week to week if Minkah Fitzpatrick goes down. Terrell Edmunds is above average in the box but beyond that he is unproven.
Vince Williams has been a great player for the price tag but he is also best versus the run on interior pass rushing. There is still no L.J. Fort-type player that has shown to be effective on passing downs.
The Javon Hargrave exit has left a hole that we won’t know if it has been properly filled until after the ball snaps week one.
In addition, Steelers offensive tackles are always beloved but still one big injury from having a below-average replacement stepping in. Alejandro Villanueva is getting older after starting his career at tackle following a four-year tour of duty.
Here’s a breakdown of the four biggest holes on the Steelers roster heading into the 2020 season: