DeVille Does Da Offseason, 2023 Edition

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I usually have some fun with this, but this year I'm a little rushed most days. As typical, I'll break this into chunks that don't make this feel like a full page of reading.

First up, season recap

2022 recap
What a roller coaster of a year. Many, if not most, predicted Tomlin's first losing season. I did, at times. As the season went on, Tribusky was so concerned about messing up that he simply didn't take any risks. The offensive line was bad. Even when Pickett initially came in and had a lot of turnovers and it was clear that this team might not even win 4 games. Through it all, I was excited because it meant a high draft pick.

Then one day... stuff changed. Pickett threw just enough downfield passes that defense took those 8 men out of the box. Suddenly, the o-line had enough room to make holes. Around the same time, Najee seemed to get healthy. Nevermind the fact that Jaylen Warren looked like he could be a bell-cow all by himself.

And just like that (in my best Forrest Gump voice), the team was a playoff bubble team. Guys who loved Tomlin were disappointed that they were 9-8. Guys who hated Tomlin were disappointed that they were 9-8 (for a different reason).

In the end, this was one of the largest roller coaster rides I've taken all within a single season.


The Units


Offense
QB - Pickett's has the clutch gene, but has some flaws. You *can* win with this guy. The team will need to figure out backup as I don't expect Mason or Mitch to be around.
RB - Najee and Warren are a pretty good tandem. I still wouldn't be opposed to a true scat-back - a 185 lb guy with 4.3 speed and cuts like Barry Sanders (hey Devon Achane, Texas A&M)
WR - Right now, Pickens is Martavis Bryant (minus the drugs). Diontae is an elite route runner with average hands. Looking forward to seeing Austin. Sims seemed to make plays when given a chance
TE - Friermuth is the Frier-TRUTH. I love that the team found ways to use Heyward. I wouldn't be opposed to another pass-catching option between TE and WR, but I think they go cheap FA this year
OL - The left side could use upgrades. The right side is "acceptable". Don't forget that these guys can move. Chuks can play LT, so a RT type can be picked up. Same with Cole, who can also play OG


Defense
DL - there's a lot to like here. But, a lot still needed, like a NT. Heyward is aging.
ILB - This unit is a mess; must be addressed in FA or draft (or both). Robinson is intriguing. Spillane should be a backup.
OLB - the starters may well be the best tandem in all the NFL. Depth needed. My boy Quncy Roche resigned a week or so ago... woot
CB - I like Sutton and Wallace. It's just that they should be #2 and #3 CBs.
S - Mikah's a stud. Edmunds keeps improving. I'd like to see him re-signed. Kazee is a nice 3rd option



Free flow thoughts of the roster

• It seemed to me that the team was manhandled in the trenches. I don't think Moore or Dotson are BAD players. But, I'd like to see them as VERY GOOD backups.
• Speaking of the trenches, Cam's old. I'm surprised they asked Leal to lose weight - he seemed "solid" with the added weight. I wonder if that was a "we want you on the field but we have too many DE and you're athletic enough to help as a rusher because we have no depth" kind of thing
• I do think the team needs a stud CB. And to retain Sutton. So many 3 WR sets out there you need 3 good CB.
• The team needs ILB help. For that reason, I'd be surprised to see Miles Jack cut. If you go into the draft with only Spillane and Robinson, everyone knows your intentions
• They could use a future replacement for Diontae, but given his contract is 2 more years, there may be no rush to replace him. They already have a 3rd round talent joining the team this season in Austin
• I think Mitch requests to be cut or traded... I'm curious if they do a post June 1 designation leaving dead money for 2024. I'm guessing we'll see a 7th round or UDFA QB brought in.
• We love our RB, but I will keep mentioning Devon Achane as the next Warrick Dunn/Darren Sproles type, especially when it comes to agility. A true "tiny" scat back wouldn't be horrible

---

Next up: Free Agency (to be posted in 1-2 days)

[Prowler]

You almost never start a thread but I enjoyed reading about your thoughts on the team.

Quincy Roche was a beast in college. I think he could be a solid starter in the league one day very soon. Perhaps if the team doesn't want to payout another high salary at the OLB position, he'll get his chance.

To me Leal doesn't really fit into what I think we should do defensively. I think I'm stuck in the old mindset of the Aaron Smith era. I like my 3-4 DE's to be stout against the run and less about rushing the passer. Leal seems like he'd be a better fit in a 4-3D, but he does have talent.

[passhappy]

I really enjoy these types of write-ups....please carry on

[WindyCitySteel]

Spillane is not under contract. If they bring him back and keep Jack, yeesh.

[BURGH86STEEL]

I think Trubisky will be back with the team.

[Steel Maniac]

I really enjoy these types of write-ups....please carry on

Thanks Steelerofdeville, ...good synopsis.

[hawaiiansteel]

I think Trubisky will be back with the team.

Rooney said he expected him to be, but Trubisky has expressed a desire to leave.

and Tomlin wants volunteers not hostages, so it'll be interesting to see how this develops.

[NJ-STEELER]

I’ve asked this another time on this board.
who says chuks can play LT?
man’s if he can why would they play him on the right side.

I thought I read o story on Steeler depot saying they tried him at LT when banner was hurt and he was so bad they put him back on the right side

mitch dead cap hit woukd be 2.5 this year.
If he cut after June first then I guess 1.75 for 2 years.
seems small enough to just eat it in 1 year

[hawaiiansteel]

I’ve asked this another time on this board.
who says chuks can play LT?
man’s if he can why would they play him on the right side.

I thought I read o story on Steeler depot saying they tried him at LT when banner was hurt and he was so bad they put him back on the right side

my understanding was that the Steelers always thought Chuks would be more of a natural LT.

but when the Steelers tried putting Moore at RT he really struggled, so we returned Moore to LT and Chuks to RT where he had been playing.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Rooney said he expected him to be, but Trubisky has expressed a desire to leave.

and Tomlin wants volunteers not hostages, so it'll be interesting to see how this develops.

I hear you. MT won't be handed another starting job. He probably won't command nearly the salary he will receive with the Steelers even with a pay cut.

[flippy]

I’ve asked this another time on this board.
who says chuks can play LT?
man’s if he can why would they play him on the right side.

I thought I read o story on Steeler depot saying they tried him at LT when banner was hurt and he was so bad they put him back on the right side

mitch dead cap hit woukd be 2.5 this year.
If he cut after June first then I guess 1.75 for 2 years.
seems small enough to just eat it in 1 year

I think it was because of someone else and not Chuks.

Im still holding out hope that Chuks can be good on either side for us. He’s got the most raw talent, but lacks a killer instinct. if he could somehow be motivated to finish guys, I think he has the raw talent to be an All Pro. Just not sure he has the desire in himself???

[Chucktownsteeler]

Nice job on the post! Nice to see a real thought out post for once, not all the daily bashing. Thank you.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

You almost never start a thread but I enjoyed reading about your thoughts on the team.

Quincy Roche was a beast in college. I think he could be a solid starter in the league one day very soon. Perhaps if the team doesn't want to payout another high salary at the OLB position, he'll get his chance.

To me Leal doesn't really fit into what I think we should do defensively. I think I'm stuck in the old mindset of the Aaron Smith era. I like my 3-4 DE's to be stout against the run and less about rushing the passer. Leal seems like he'd be a better fit in a 4-3D, but he does have talent.

Thanks. I love the offseason. I think it's because I'm a problem solver /fixer and I always think, "how could i fix this?"

I struggle with Leal because he came in as a tweener, and I honestly think he could be a good d-lineman on this team if the team picks a direction - they had him gain weight, then lose weight all within the same season. He seemed to make the occasional play either way and my hope is that if he stays in one place, he could improve at that place.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Spillane is not under contract. If they bring him back and keep Jack, yeesh.

Please hold... Free Agency is next.. LOL

[SteelerOfDeVille]

my understanding was that the Steelers always thought Chuks would be more of a natural LT.

but when the Steelers tried putting Moore at RT he really struggled, so we returned Moore to LT and Chuks to RT where he had been playing.

This... Moore struggled at RT, so Chuks had to play RT.
But, they always believe Chuks to be a more natural mover and LT, therefore they won't be afraid to move him there if a good RT shows up in the draft.

The team won't exclusively look for LT when they know they could find a RT in the draft, move Chuks to LT and possibly improve BOTH tackle positions.