Home 2018 Offseason Five Steelers Team Needs Going Into 2018 Offseason

Five Steelers Team Needs Going Into 2018 Offseason

by Chris Nicolaou

The Steelers’ season has ended and we now must look into the off-season for the black and gold. Free Agency and the NFL Draft will give GM Kevin Colbert some options to improve the team. What positions need an upgrade going into the 2018 season?

Inside Linebacker

This is one of the most obvious needs for the Steelers. Ryan Shazier exited the game with a gruesome and scary injury in the Steelers week 13 match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier’s injury leaves many questions on the table for the Steelers moving forward since the middle linebacker was in line for a contract extension in the near future. The Ohio State product’s injury is severe enough to question if he will live a normal life again, let alone play football. Since Shazier’s absence, Sean Spence and the Steelers have really struggled against the run and in coverage from his inside linebacker spot.

Free Safety

This is a need for the Steelers that for some reason cannot be widely agreed upon. Mike Mitchell is a liability that many outside of this site fail to shine light upon. His lack of play-making ability is a concern in its own ( 0 forced turnovers in 2017, 1 fumble recovery. 1 interception in 2016. 0 forced fumbles in 2016-2017. Only 2 passes defensed in 2017). In 2016, he was second on the team in missed tackles, which has been the Steelers kryponite in recent years. Mitchell’s lack of play-making ability and shoddy tackling are also coupled with his lack of cover ability. Deficiencies in coverage are due his late reaction time and his lack of range. A true play-making center fielder who is a reliable tackler can really transform the defense. The need for a free safety doesn’t just lie on Mitchell’s shoulders, the depth at the position is beyond worrisome and must be addressed.

Tight End

Jesse James had a type of season we all expected. He was drafted in the fifth round to be a number two tight end and through trial and error, has ended up as our starting tight end. James lacks athleticism and is not a reliable run blocker, two attributes of a tight end that are essential. Vance McDonald has been a decent addition to the team, but has had trouble staying healthy. With his $4.6M cap charge in 2018, cutting McDonald is a definite possibility.

Cornerback 

Artie Burns has been a disappointment this year. Aside from being bad at tackling in space, the former first round pick has been the highest penalized player on the team with eight penalties (five being defensive pass interference). Joe Haden has been a welcomed addition to the team, but carries a cap charge of almost $12M in 2018. If Haden is not restructured or extended, which I believe will occur, he may be released. The selection of Cam Sutton should bring some optimism to the position, but like Burns, Sutton lacks in physicality. Cody Sensabaugh was a disappointment when he was promoted to starting cornerback when Haden exited with injury. I am still not comfortable with this position.

Wide Receiver

This position has always been plentiful in Pittsburgh. We have the best wide receiver in the NFL and now have drafted arguably the most promising wide receiver in 2016. Martavis Bryant has one more year on his contract and I don’t think he will be a Steeler in 2019, if not sooner. Eli Rogers has been a huge disappointment and we just haven’t seen much progress out of him. Justin Hunter is a depth piece, along with special team specialist Darrius Heyward-Bey. Adding a slot receiver who has the ability to return kicks and punts would be ideal.

photo credit: CBSSports

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2 comments

Rocky Falleti January 15, 2018 - 11:20 pm

After blowing several years of failing to win the big one we failed again. Its about time The Rooney’s take a good hard look at our coaches. With the talent on this team the last 5 years the necessary steps to correct it has not been addressed by our coaches. We lose games we should win during the season, win the rest then lose the ones that can count in the end. This is a recurring problem with these coaches and has wasted the best years of our talented team.  This team is only short a few defensive players short of being a powerhouse. I know we have had a few good seasons win wise but the grand prize has eluded us because of our defense. The Offense is the best in The NFL but the defense is laughable. We make average QBs look like Gods picking us apart. A NFL franchise noted for defense is now the laughing stock of the league. Where were our safeties and linebackers this year? Where is the discipline? If we cannot draft what we need then go free agency to get them. Tomlin is accepting mediocrity with his coaches and players. Don’t be a player coach, be a team coach and demand we get what we need! If we want to be the best, then get it anyway possible. Offensive and defensive coaches have got to go and Tomlin needs to be a Drill Sargent  instead of a buddy. Joe Hayden was an improvement but not enough. Mitchel has got to go, he can’t stop the deep passes and takes bad angles on the run. Where was Dupree and Watt? I feel a good safety a inside linebacker and a nose tackle would make this team unbeatable. Mr. Rooney this is not fair to the fans and the entire city to let this go and not address it. Just not my opinion but the opinion of all Steeler fans.

bob graff January 17, 2018 - 2:18 am

There is one player who has gone pretty much un-touched but really hasn’t done a thing all season . THE GRAVE DIGGER Little miss muffit could run up the gut on us. And we never went to a nickle package on 3rd and long instead we kept both MLB in. This staff sucks big time, do nothing and you really think we won’t see the same next year. They already said don’t change we got it. I say BULL $HIT. It’s very dis-heartening knowing you have good players and watching coaches just screw it up. AND YES WE SHOULD HAVE PLAYED OUR STARTERS THE LAST WEEK. They always suck after a long break another sign of a POOR coached team And who says “WE DON,T COACH TO BEAT THE CHAMPS” answer LOSERS

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