The Steelers have a new list of needs now that the majority of their free-agent moves have been made.
The Steelers had a laundry list of needs heading into this offseason, and with the brunt of free agency now over, the remainder of their needs will have to be filled in the draft. While this list has changed since the beginning of the offseason, a lot of these needs were here before free agency.
The team did their best to fill most of these, but with the lack of funds, it was hard to fill all of these. Here are the Steelers’ five top needs heading into the draft.
Not making the list
The first position that fans will point out is missing on this list is offensive tackle. Despite being one of the perceived biggest needs, a rookie would realistically play very little if drafted. Chukwuma Okorafor and the re-signed Zach Banner should comprise your starting offensive tackles while Joe Haeg will serve as the swing tackle. There is room for a fourth, but they would likely spend the season on the bench. The team can and should draft a tackle this year, but it should be on day three and as more of a developmental option.
Quarterback also doesn’t rank highly on this list, as the team already has three legitimate players there. With Ben Roethlisberger coming back for one more year, it would be silly for this team to go after a quarterback early. While a late-round addition is possible, this isn’t a pressing need right now. Next year will be another story.
Edge and safety depth were also considered here, as both positions aren’t deep right now. They were edged out by the fifth-place need as it is slightly more pressing than the others. That said, and especially with an edge, there is a clear need to add a body that can rotate in and serve as depth. With all of that said, here are the Steelers’ five biggest needs ahead of the draft ranked.
Inside Linebacker
As stated earlier, this position was being contested with the other two defensive needs. That said, inside linebacker won out due to the lack of depth here and the loss of leadership. The team allowed Avery Williamson to test free agency and later cut Vince Williams. This has resulted in the position going from extremely deep to rather shallow.
The starters are set, as a returning Devin Bush and Robert Spillane should see the majority of snaps here. Behind them is Marcus Allen, a converted safety, and not much else worth noting. The same could be said for an edge, as the two starters are there with next to no depth behind them. With inside linebacker though, Spillane has more question marks than Alex Highsmith, which vaults this position above edge.
In all honesty, considering the youth here, adding a veteran would be better than a rookie. The team has youth here, but what it needs is a grizzled veteran presence. In all honesty, bringing back either Williams or Williamson would be the best-case scenario for the team. Until then, this position brings up the rear in terms of importance due to some of the question marks with Spillane.
Running Back
No, running back isn’t the top need on this list despite the lack of talent there. While Benny Snell is far from an elite running back, an improved offensive line and a focus on his power style could make him serviceable for a year or two if need be. Even if the team wanted to draft the position, they should do it knowing that it isn’t the most pressing need.
Throw in the fact that running backs can be had in the late day two range to early day three range and focusing on the position makes little sense. While the team could select the position as early as the first, there are enough players in the draft and on the roster to push this need further down. Frankly put, running backs aren’t a critical position on the field anymore, and average players can succeed behind great lines.
I do expect the team to draft a running back, but it may trend closer to round three or four. At the minimum, I would be shocked if they targeted a running back in the first. The team should focus on rebuilding the line before going running back instead. Unless the value is too great, the Steelers need to look at other positions before going running back.
Tight End
While the running back class is extremely deep, the tight end is entirely top-heavy. With Kyle Pitts almost definitely off the board before the Steelers pick in the first, the only realistic long-term starter is Pat Freiermuth, as after him the position tanks into bit players and blockers. If the team wants to resolve their long-standing tight end issues, taking Freirermuth is the only realistic answer in this draft.
Eric Ebron is set to return this season, but his contract will void when the season ends, leaving this team desperate for another option. There is no realistic number two option, and unless a low-level free agent such as Jesse James enters the picture, this team will have a huge hole there. As well, tight ends usually take a season or two to develop before becoming stars, so taking one this season could set the Steelers up for next season.
The biggest issue is, Freiermuth would be a bit of a reach at 24. While that hasn’t stopped the Steelers before, it would be less than ideal in a year with so many team’s needs. What is possible is a trade back or for the team to move up in the second to land Freiermuth. Even if the team stays put at 24 and selects him, it will go a long way in rebuilding the tight end room. While the team has a starter for 2021, they need to get an option that will be here beyond just next season.
Cornerback
Cornerback was a need before Steven Nelson was cut, but now there is a huge hole at the position heading into the draft. While Cameron Sutton has both inside and outside flexibility, the team still needs a third corner to play in nickel and dime defenses. On top of this, Joe Haden is likely entering the final season of his Steelers career, so the team will have even more questions here next year.
The Steelers do have two potential in-house replacements for Nelson in Justin Layne and James Pierre, but both are unproven and can’t be counted on to start without any competition next year. Instead, the team would be wise to target a rookie early and look for them to enter the fold as well. Luckily, the Steelers could target both outside corners and slot corners given Sutton’s flexibility.
No matter what, the Steelers can’t go into next season with their cornerback room unchanged. The loss of Nelson is a tough one, and the team has to be proactive in replacing him. Luckily, this draft class is stacked with corners, so the team should have plenty of options if they look to the draft to find their successor. This need is prevalent both now, as they don’t have a clear third corner, and beyond, as they have no clear plans for life after Haden.
Center
While Maurkice Pouncey was in decline, his retirement leaves a huge hole on the offense as the team has no clear answer as to who will snap-in 2021. While the team was proactive and brought back B.J. Finney, another body has to be added to the group. At this point, the draft will more than likely be the team’s best route in securing a long-term replacement for Pouncey.
While there is no elite center prospect for the Steelers, there are a handful of day two options that could step in early in their careers. From Creed Humphrey to Trey Hill, the team should have quite a few options to pick from in the draft at center. That doesn’t make this any less pressing of a need though, as the team has no clear option right now to fill in.
To be frank, the Steelers have to find center in this draft. It is their biggest priority. Even if Finney steps up, he can’t be relied on long term given his age and sharp decline in play last year. He provides as many questions as he does answers. While the draft is lacking a true first-round talent at center, the team would be wise to look early at the position in hopes of finding their long-term snapper.
While the Steelers did the best they could with what they had in free agency, they still have a ways to go before they have a complete roster. The needs above are the most pressing and will require a draft investment to fill them. Keep these positions in mind as needs for the Steelers as draft season ramps up.