5 positions Steelers must rebuild from the ground up in 2022
By Andrew Falce
The Steelers had into the 2022 off-season with a lot of holes to fill, so here are five positions that need to be completely rebuilt.
The Steelers were a team filled with holes before the 2021 season began. Despite overcoming many obstacles this team made the playoffs, but the fact remains that they have a lot of work to do in 2022. They head into the off-season with quite a few positions that need a lot of help.
Here are the five positions the Steelers need to completely rebuild in 2022.
Steelers need to rebuild slot receiver
The Steelers entered the 2022 season with JuJu Smith-Schuster as their starting slot receiver. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury caused him to miss the majority of the season, and now he enters free agency once again. While the team may want him back, he will likely want to look at different options as he explores what his value will be on the open market.
With the position now needing a new starter finding a different style of receiver makes sense for the team. Instead of using a big and physical slot receiver, the Steelers can look for a smaller and shiftier route runner.
A couple of names that come to mind in free agency are obvious. The best fit could be Will Fuller of the Dolphins. Considering he barely played in 2021, his contract should be relatively cheap. He provides a different style of receiver than Smith Schuster. He is faster, quicker, and much more fluid as a route runner. He would bring a different dynamic to this receiving room.
The Steelers may also opt to look to the draft to find a slot receiver. Either of the early-round targets from Ohio St. and Alabama makes sense as well as the slew of mid to late-round picks that could fill in for Smith-Schuster. The Steelers have options this off-season, which is a good thing, but finding a new style of receiver makes the most sense.
While Smith-Schuster was a fine player, having a smaller and faster slot receiver would add a new dynamic to this office. It will be hard to see him go but finding a new style in the slot could help boost the Steelers’ offense in 2022.