Positions the Steelers must address this offseason
By Scott Long
Defensive Line
Unlike the other positions that have been mentioned, the need to add defensive lineman is moreso for depth purposes. While the trio of Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu, and Cameron Heyward is among the best defensive lines in football, this year has proven that the team needs more depth on this unit.
Tuitt and Alualu have missed the majority of the season due to injury, which has left Heyward and Chris Wormley to try and anchor the defense, and while each has played well, the depth is sorely lacking. The team needs to add reinforcements who are capable of playing meaningful snaps, rather than just having young players who can only play sparingly in a rotation.
Some free agents who could fit the bill for Pittsburgh include Taven Bryan, Steve McLendon, Jihad Ward, Sheldon Richardson, Malik Jackson, and several others. The addition of a player like one of the aforementioned players, or a mid-round selection on a defensive lineman to add to the current group of Heyward, Tuitt, Alualu, and Wormley would greatly benefit this defense.
This season has proved that due to the lack of depth, when injuries inevitably happen, opposing teams will expose your holes and weaknesses.
Clearly, while quarterback is a huge need for the Steelers, the team has plenty of other holes to fill as well. This is the most work the roster has needed in the offseason in a long time, but while it needs work, the team does have a talented core in place. With the right moves this offseason, the team could quickly re-establish itself as one of the most daunting teams in the league.