Grading the Pittsburgh Steelers projected starting offense in 2021
The Steelers have some new additions to their offense in 2021. Here’s are my grades for each projected offense starter entering the new season.
On offense, the Steelers have made some good moves this off-season. They’ve also made some head-scratchers, had a couple of very inconvenient losses and left too many unanswered questions. They allowed two offensive line starters, Alejandro Villanueva and Matt Feiler to walk. Those moves seem bad, now, given the loss of, Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and David DeCastro’s release due to nagging injuries. Still, all isn’t lost on the O-Line but the Steelers really should find a way to add a good veteran offensive tackle before the season starts.
The addition of Najee Harris will help revive the Steelers running game which was dead last in 2020. If you check the stat line, instead of listening to sports announcers, you can see the Steelers wide receiver corps is overrated. The only stat they led in, last year, was dropped passes. Their success may hinge on Chase Claypool stepping up.
Future Hall of Famer, Ben Roethlisberger, is returning and will have a full preseason to prepare for what might be his final year. The Steelers helped the offense by using the first three rounds of the Draft to add players who should be first-year starters.
The Backfield
QB Ben Roethlisberger: A
Ben was just getting his long ball back towards the end of 2020. With more time to heal and throw and a full preseason, I’m thinking he’ll make a return to form. Even with his confidence in his arm being spotty and now gone OC, Randy Fichtner’s below-average playing calling, Ben put up good numbers. 65.6% completion rate and 33 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions.
RB Najee Harris: A
The Steelers 1st Rd pick, Najee Harris is everything the Steelers want in a feature back. He’s patient but quick to hit the hole. He has both moves and foot quickness to go along with his power. Very good receiver out the backfield. He tops it off with tough blocking. Najee spent his Draft Day at a homeless center where his family used to live. That shows character and a humility that was lacking in certain fake rappers who went to New York City for their career to die.