If the Steelers want to keep their winning streak alive, they must consider benching these four players before the Lions game.
The Steelers have seemingly rebounded their season after a disappointing 1-3 start to win their last four games and improve to 5-3. While the streak itself is impressive, the actual quality of wins has been less so. A win is a win in the NFL, but there is still plenty of fat that can be cut off this roster in order to keep up their winning ways. Here are four players that should be benched before the Lions game.
Steelers should bench TE Eric Ebron
One will look at this name and point to the fact that Eric Ebron hasn’t played much recently, so how could he be benched. While he is playing far less while injured, when he returns healthy, he should not be seeing the snaps that he was seeing beforehand. Quite frankly, Ebron is a name that should have been flipped to a willing party at the trade deadline, but since he is here for the remainder of the season, his playing time shouldn’t be extensive.
Pat Freiermuth has proven to be a great starter to this point. He catches everything thrown his way and can chip in as a blocker. Zach Gentry has made some major strides as a player and may be the best blocking tight end on the roster right now. Ebron can stick around as a receiving-only threat, but he shouldn’t be a primary threat on the offense anymore. By all accounts, Ebron can take a seat for now.
Steelers should bench OT Chukwuma Okorafor
This is a tough one, as Chukwuma Okorafor has taken some notable strides so far this season, but the line as a whole must do a better job at run blocking. Zach Banner was given a moderate-sized deal just for that reason, and frankly, he needs to get on the field sooner than later given the money he is earning. He can only play right tackle, which has been Okorafor’s position this season.
Now, Okorafor could slide over and play left tackle, but that means you would have to bench rookie Dan Moore. While Moore has had some areas that he has struggled in, he has also flashed a lot of positive traits that deserve to be developed. He should be a part of the long-term plan for this line, so benching him right now doesn’t make sense.
That leaves Okorafor as the odd man out. While his play has improved from the beginning of the year, it still isn’t great, and the Steelers could benefit from getting Banner out there. This line took a step back this week, so getting a new face at right tackle makes sense. Okorafor should be commended on his ability to improve as a player, but it hasn’t been enough to keep his job at this point.
Steelers should bench returner Ray-Ray McCloud
It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Ray-Ray McCloud, as a pair of punt fumbles have drawn some questions about if he should be handling the return duties for this team. Add in his mediocre play on the offense and suddenly McCloud’s roster spot is far from secure. While he has proven to be an above-average return man, the fumbles in recent weeks make it hard to see him keeping a secure grip on that job.
The issue now will be if the Steelers call anyone up from the practice squad. They have a return man in Steven Sims sitting there ready to play and a slot-capable receiver in Anthony Miller that can fill in for McCloud. As well, Chase Claypool could kick inside more often than he already is. This could put McCloud’s playing time at close to zero, as his role could easily be displaced by someone else on the roster.
To be clear, the only reason McCloud has a job is because of his return ability. The team uses him on offense to justify having him dress as their returner each week. If Sims took on the returner role and then either Claypool or Miller play in the slot (even Sims could contribute there), there would be no need for McCloud on this roster. The team is full of options, and right now McCloud doesn’t seem like the best one.
Steelers should bench corner Arthur Maulet
I had written a little while ago that Arthur Maulet was actually having a quietly strong season. This was true when facing teams that were running heavily, as he is a natural downhill style of cornerback akin to Mike Hilton. When teams targeted him in the passing game though, as the Bears did, his flaws were suddenly apparent. While a good run defender, Maulet has some obvious deficiencies when asked to cover a receiver.
The team isn’t filled with potential slot cornerbacks either. Tre Norwood has improved his play recently, but a lot of that has been due to him receiving a reduced role. He now only has to focus on his job as a dime defender, and that seems to suit him well. Instead, what makes the most sense is putting Cameron Sutton back in the slot on a more full-time role.
Sutton has been ok on the outside, but he hasn’t been anything special. James Pierre, on the other hand, has really turned up his play in the limited snaps that he has seen on the field. He could fit in as the other outside cornerback whenever Sutton kicks inside. Maulet could still have a role on running downs, but to keep him as the full-time starter would be a mistake right now.
The Steelers are on quite the winning streak right now, but more needs to be done in order to keep this team competitive. In particular, these four players are doing more to harm the team than help them. They need to take a seat on the bench if this team wants its winning ways to continue.