Top Need Heading into the Offseason

[Ernie]

Top need (by far) is interior offensive line. We need a stud (Creed Humphry) type at center.. and 2 Stud OGs. Maybe Kevin Dotsun can be that guy at LG? I'm fairly confident Turner isnt that guy.
Anyways.. I'm hoping we take the top interior guy available in Round 1... and a top tier FA to fill another one of those spots.
Drafting QB in Rd 1 doesnt do much for the rebuild if we cant run the football... so hopefully addressing interior OL is priority 1 this offseason.

[hawaiiansteel]

Priority #1 - OL

Priority #2 - DL

[Terrapin]

#1: Head Coach
#2: OC
#3: OL
#4: QB
#5: ILB

[Northern_Blitz]

Priority #1 - OL

Priority #2 - DL

Especially if Tuitt doesn't return.

Cam is getting older and will eventually decline.

[whatever]

#1 hc………..

[Ernie]

Especially if Tuitt doesn't return.

Cam is getting older and will eventually decline.

I think Tuitt comes back.. and I'd definitely be looking at Tyson A at a 1 year deal...

[papillon]

So, in the last draft, it appears that the Steeler strategy was to draft the play-makers (Harris and Freiermuth) early and select offensive linemen in later rounds and develop them. We see how that is working out this year for both the running game and passing game. I wonder had the Steelers taken a more NFL ready tackle at Harris' spot and Humphrey at Freiermuth's spot and then drafted a RB and TE in the 3rd and 4th what the offense would like? Would the line be any better? If they were, would that help Ben be more confident to look downfield?

Personally, I was hoping they went the route of building the line with premium picks and the skill players with mid-round picks and depth with the remaining. I thought for sure Humphrey was the pick in round 2 with Pouncey retiring and the #1 rated center available in the 2nd round, the value and team help seemed to be there. I was disappointed with a TE pick because the Steelers are notorious for not targeting TEs like other teams so why use a premium pick on a player that isn't a major factor in your offense?

Anyhow, the Steelers, as currently constituted are still fighting for a playoff spot, can't lose another game and need a little help, I think.

Just as another reason for Humphrey, had they taken him, the Steelers would have been able to draft the #1 RB and the #1 C in the draft. That doesn't happen very often where you can draft the #1 prospects at two different positions.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Priority #1 - OL

Priority #2 - DL

I’d flip the order. Go DL in Rd 1

[Ernie]

I’d flip the order. Go DL in Rd 1

You've got better prospects on the DL with better depth... Heyward, Tuitt, Tyson A. Wormley, Loudermilk...

If a David Decastro type OL is there in Round 1... they better not pass him up. This OL when completely healthy is still bottom of the league..
Whereas the DL is actually very good.

[papillon]

So, just checking one site here are some offensive linemen listed in positions 13 - 25 and a couple "interesting" options should the Steelers want to take a look.

Cross (OT), Linderbaum (C), Ekwonu (OG), and Penning (OT)

Players of potential interest but not offensive linmen
Pickett (QB) and Dean (ILB)

All 6 of these players are listed anywhere from 13th through 25th which is where it appears the Steelers will be drafting at 7-9-1 or 8-8-1 or 9-7-1 as of yesterday the highest they could be drafting is 9th. The first 8 positions have been settled as teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.

Pappy

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think Tuitt comes back.. and I'd definitely be looking at Tyson A at a 1 year deal...

Alualu is signed next season at a cap hit of just over $3.4M. The question is not whether or not to sign him, it is whether or not to keep him.

[Flasteel]

You've got better prospects on the DL with better depth... Heyward, Tuitt, Tyson A. Wormley, Loudermilk...

If a David Decastro type OL is there in Round 1... they better not pass him up. This OL when completely healthy is still bottom of the league..
Whereas the DL is actually very good.

I agree with this 100%. I don't know how an argument can be made that the O-line is not the highest priority. It needs to be addressed via the top pick and free agency. My eyeballs tell me this is one of the worst offensive lines in Steeler history. Truly offensive.

[NorthCoast]

Alualu is signed next season at a cap hit of just over $3.4M. The question is not whether or not to sign him, it is whether or not to keep him.

This. A 35 yr old NT coming off an ankle break is not likely to be a 17 game player.

[Ernie]

This. A 35 yr old NT coming off an ankle break is not likely to be a 17 game player.

We dont need to him to be a 17 game player.
I can promise you weve made worse investments as of late. Banner was signed for more than 3.4 mill.. and hes basically no more than "Victory formation" depth.

[SteelerMaine83]

So, in the last draft, it appears that the Steeler strategy was to draft the play-makers (Harris and Freiermuth) early and select offensive linemen in later rounds and develop them. We see how that is working out this year for both the running game and passing game. I wonder had the Steelers taken a more NFL ready tackle at Harris' spot and Humphrey at Freiermuth's spot and then drafted a RB and TE in the 3rd and 4th what the offense would like? Would the line be any better? If they were, would that help Ben be more confident to look downfield?

Personally, I was hoping they went the route of building the line with premium picks and the skill players with mid-round picks and depth with the remaining. I thought for sure Humphrey was the pick in round 2 with Pouncey retiring and the #1 rated center available in the 2nd round, the value and team help seemed to be there. I was disappointed with a TE pick because the Steelers are notorious for not targeting TEs like other teams so why use a premium pick on a player that isn't a major factor in your offense?

Anyhow, the Steelers, as currently constituted are still fighting for a playoff spot, can't lose another game and need a little help, I think.

Just as another reason for Humphrey, had they taken him, the Steelers would have been able to draft the #1 RB and the #1 C in the draft. That doesn't happen very often where you can draft the #1 prospects at two different positions.

Pappy

It's an interesting question. That said, we have our starting RB & TE for the next three years after this, and barring injury, they are both pretty good. The OL we drafted--we may or may not have hit on them, but year one is too early to tell. They (well, at least one) could be a lot better next year after a year of learning as-you-go.

I will say I think we did get the #1 at two positions--Muth to me was the highest rated true-TE in the draft. Pitts is a good player but really just a big WR that they slot as a pass-catching TE. Muth can do everything you ask of a traditional TE.