The journey toward Super Bowl LII ended far too prematurely for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending them into offseason mode before we were ready for it. But we are in it now, and are ready to move on, through the Combine, through free agency, through the draft, into OTAs, and beyond.
We have asked and answered a lot of questions over the years and will continue to do so, and at the moment, there seem to be a ton of questions that need answering. A surprise early exit in the postseason will do that to you though, especially when it happens in the way it did.
You can rest assured that we have the questions, and we will be monitoring developments all throughout the offseason process, all the way down to Latrobe. Pending free agents, possible veteran roster cuts, contract extensions, pre-draft visits, pro days, all of it will have its place when the time arises.
Question: What one position to you believe is being most overlooked as a need, either by the team or by others?
It’s pretty hard to get to 13-3 without a strong roster, and the Steelers do have that. Yet that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their weak spots. It’s become virtually impossible to have quality starters and depth at all positions in this era of the NFL.
We know the big definite needs in inside linebacker and safety. And we know the big maybe needs in the near future in quarterback and running back. I think these four positions have clearly garnered the bulk of the draft discussion over the course of the past…well, half a year or so. But there are actually other positions on the team. It’s true, I just checked their roster.
The wide receiver position has received a fair amount of attention as well, both from outside parties and from the Steelers themselves, having met with two from the position that are anticipated to be drafted on day two next week.
While I think others have covered things pretty well on this front, the Steelers’ list of pre-draft visitors was certainly lacking at the outside linebacker position. Of course they met some pass-rushers during the Combine and at a number of Pro Days. Less than a week to the draft, the fifth-year option for Bud Dupree still lingers.
There are some who still see tight end as a big need, not sold on Vance McDonald and his health and convinced that Jesse James can’t offer any more than the already has. I know there are a few who would even like to see an interior offensive lineman taken as early as the first round.
One position that has barely been mentioned this offseason is cornerback. The Steelers have the players they believe can be starters, but what if somebody should fall to them? Should they pass up the chance?
