Home 2015 Off-Season Will the Steelers Look to Free Agency for Tight End Depth?

Will the Steelers Look to Free Agency for Tight End Depth?

by Steeldad

As much as it pains me, Heath Miller is getting older. He’ll be entering his 11th season in the black and gold this summer and although he had very good numbers in 2014, there were obvious signs that he’s slowing down.

From uncharacteristic drops to very “iffy” blocking at times, Miller just isn’t what he once was and that’s nothing personal against him. All of our favorites come to this point in their careers and Miller is fast approaching his end.

While he will enter the 2015 season as the starter which is a no-brainer, the Steelers have decisions to make with regards to who plays behind him and in some cases alongside of him.

Remember this is the Todd Haley offense where multiple tight end sets are the norm.

Both Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer are unrestricted free agents. While Spaeth is a capable fill-in in terms of his blocking, he is not a threat as a receiver and neither is Palmer. If the Steelers let both guys walk, there could be some interesting options should the Steelers choose to invest in one.

Bengals’ tight end Jermaine Gresham will be a free agent but he has battled some injuries and will be looking for several million per season and I don’t know that the Steelers are going to want to pay that.

Gresham is 26 years old but so is Cleveland tight end Jordan Cameron who is also a free agent and could come cheaper. The problem with Cameron is concussions. He’s had three in the last two years.

Dolphins’ tight end Charles Clay is just 25 years old and is coming off a season where he 58 receptions and three touchdowns. He’s had a few injuries but is a capable pass catcher.

The St. Louis Rams have a free agent tight end in Lance Kendricks who caught just 27 passes but recorded five touchdowns among those grabs. He could be an option as well.

There is of course the option of giving Will Johnson more time are tight end which is possible. Either way, the Steelers must address the position and must get more athletic there as well.

Perhaps they will look to the draft where there aren’t any superstars but plenty of blue-collar type guys which might fit the bill for the Steelers.

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