4 weakest Steelers starters if the season started today
By Scott Long
While the Steelers improved their roster in free agency, there are still a few positions that they should improve upon before the season starts.
The Steelers were much more active in free agency than they typically are this season, and in doing so they did a nice job strengthening their roster. However, despite the additions they’ve made, there are still several positions that they need to improve upon.
The NFL Draft is coming up, and hopefully, the Steelers will use the Draft as well as some additional cash on a remaining free agent or two to improve upon these four players, who would be starters if the season were to start today.
Chukwuma Okorafor, Right Tackle
It’s been well documented by Steelers fans that the extension for Chukwuma Okorafor was not a popular move by the team. Okorafor has improved since he came into the league, however, he is not worth the three-year contract extension, worth $29.25 million that he was signed to this offseason.
While Okorafor is being overpaid this season, the Steelers can cut ties with him after the season if his play doesn’t improve. Unfortunately, due to the money the team tied up into him this season, he will be a starter once the season begins, assuming he is healthy.
There were several other options the team could have pursued this offseason to improve upon him, with both Morgan Moses and La’el Collins both getting contracts with the same or less money while being superior players.
While the Steelers should consider drafting an offensive tackle and likely will, it is unlikely that they will draft any more than a developmental tackle later in the draft that can sit behind Okorafor and potentially supplant him down the line. For a team that has a weak offensive line already, bringing back one of those options on a substantial raise was a grave mistake by the Steelers’ brass.
They will truly have to hope that he steps up in a big way this year, or else it will be deemed a massive failure, especially considering Collins signed with the division rival, Cincinnati Bengals.