Draft Needs

Assuming they don't make an unexpected splash in FA:

1. CB
- William Gay is 31. Even if they do re-sign him (pretty much a must in this situation), they can't rely on him much longer as the top corner. We also have to remember that his performance throughout his career has been erratic year-to-year.
- Cortez Allen has always been a questionable starter and he'll be coming back from a season-long stint on IR. The possibility of moving him to S has been mentioned before.
- We can only hope Senquez Golson turns out to be the ball hawk he was in college.
- I doubt Brandon Boykin will return after the way the Steelers handled him, which is irritating because he was obviously one of the best CBs on the roster once he was given an opportunity to play.
- Ross Cockrell was re-signed yesterday.
- Doran Grant, like Golson, is a mystery. Per Tomlin, he may also up for consideration at S.

They desperately need additional new, young talent, and some insurance, at this position. My hope is that they replace Antwan Blake with a high draft pick.


2. S - Will Allen is an UFA, turns 34 in June, and may decide to retire. I'm hoping for a 1-year deal to allow whoever's next in line a year to get acquainted with the position and defense.

Robert Golden is also a FA. I do not see them starting the year with 5 safeties, so whether he's brought back likely depends on quite a bit:
- Does Will Allen return?
- What are the Steelers going to do with Grant and Cortez Allen?
- What they're looking to do in the draft?

Shamarko Thomas hasn't shown much of anything in three years. In fact, recently Tomlin had this to say about him, "I thought he did a good job, particularly as a core special-teamer...He's still evolving as a defender...I like his work. I don't think it's from a lack of effort, it just hasn't come together for him, yet. We'll continue to work with him. In the meantime, we'll continue to appreciate the contributions that he provides us as a core member of our special teams unit." Not exactly the kind of thing a coach says about player he expects to be a starter.

As mentioned before, there is also the possibility of them moving Cortez Allen to S. This would make sense considering he's always struggled a bit with coverage, he's a good tackler, and they have a bit invested in him. It may also allow Mike Mitchell to move to SS down the road.

If I had to, I'd guess the safeties next year will be Mitchell, Thomas, W. Allen, and C. Allen. If they do plan on this, I expect them to not draft a S at all. Until we/they know, it has to be a top priority.


3. DT - I honestly would be overjoyed if Steve McLendon ends up being a cap casualty.

I'd hoped Daniel McCullers would develop and supplant McLendon this season, but that never happened. Perhaps his time is next season.

Either way, McCullers or draftee, if they could upgrade here it would solidify the DL as elite.


4. OLB - James Harrison will eventually fall off, and I think Jarvis Jones has been a disappointment.

5. TE - I think Heath Miller is good for another year or two, so we'll get to see Jesse James develop. Still, if there is an opportunity to draft a quality TE, they shouldn't hesitate. Matt Spaeth is getting older, too.

6. DE depth - Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt are beasts but there's not much behind them.

7. QB depth - If Bruce Gradkowski retires or doesn't re-sign, I could see this possibly being a bigger need. But, IMO, another veteran FA would be the best move if he does, in fact, leave.

 

I think we need some role players:

We need a third down back, we need another punt returner, we need a universal back up on the Dline.

I think drafting a QB is a waste. Our best back ups have been veterans FA.

 

CB - sign Gay. Shouldn't be too expensive and should be able to play at a solid level for the next 2 or so years. Cockrell already re-signed. Boykin likely out, Blake re-sign. Draft someone. Golson should be the day 1 starter at slot, but a vet signing as insurance could be an option. I think cutting Allen at this juncture wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe bring him to camp and see, but I don't think he has it.

Gay, Cockrell, Golson to start. Draftee, Blake, maybe vet signee as depth.

S- at this point I think Allen is gone. Golden showed that he could play at a pretty high level this season, so he should be retained. We should try to invest in a future starter at SS tho, whether it's via draft or FA. Grant likely to FS.

Mitchell and Golden to start. Draftee, Grant and possibly Thomas or a camp guy gets the last spot if we carry 5 Safeties.

DT - I disagree here. I think McLendon would be a great re-sign. We have to think bargain at some positions and 3-4 NT is the perfect spot for that given how little that position is on the field. We do need a NT/DE universal back up tho. A guy who can take some base snaps at NT would be perfect, that way McLendon can take more nickel snaps or base DE snaps to give Heyward and Tuitt a rest.

OLB - were definitely going to draft one here. Moats is a fine back up/rotation guy. Jones hasn't been a great pass rusher, but he is an excellent run defender and certainly has value as a rotation player. James can't play forever, so more depth would be great here.

TE - another position I think we're looking to target in the draft. We will likely roll with Heath, James and a draft pick into the next season.

QB - I don't care here really. Too early to be thinking about Ben's replacement, so we're looking at strictly back ups. A vet arm as the 3rd string would be fine. We could always re-sign Grad as our 3, but if there's someone in the draft we really like I wouldn't hate the pick either.

 

1. OLB- We need to continue to supply the pipeline
2. SS-Allen is weak and Golden is a "Maybe"
3. CB- Gay will be back, Cockrell, Grant and Golson. The latter are relative unknowns but so will the draft pick. And our history say we won't draft CBs high.
4. TE-Miller/Spath needs to be replaced
5. OL-need to upgrade Foster so we can pull to the right.
6. DT- not NT. We need some depth with someone that can rush the passer

 

CB
S
OLB
DL
OL
TE

 

I also would like to see a new capable punt returner on the roster, but I wouldn't purposefully seek one out in the draft. If we're debating between two guys and one can return punts and the other can't, yeah, take the guy that can. But I wouldn't target a specialist. Not sure if that's what you guys were implying or not.

If we don't get a guy in the draft, I think we should be able to find a backup or two in training camp/preseason that can track the ball and FC every time in the event AB goes down to injury.

 

I suppose finding a punt returner is hard because our WR stable is full, but it would be great if we could find a WR/RB/CB who is good enough to see limited playing time, but also return punts. No, cant be a punt specialist only.

We need a 3rd down back, LevBell isn't durable enough to play all 3 downs. DeAngelo can spell LevBell a series or two as the immediate back up.

 

Isn't Sherels (CB, Minnesota) a FA? Idk how much corner he plays or if he is any good at it, but maybe he could be a depth guy that provides a big spark in the return game. He does both kickoffs and punts, and has excelled at both. Just a thought

 

I should know since I'm in their TV market, but haven't watched a game of theirs all year! Regardless, that's the kind of returner I'd want to seek out, someone that can help in other areas, like a 4th WR or CB.

 

For the punt return situation, they could probably get Jalin Marshall from Ohio State in a late round. He's a WR but if they let DHB go there'll be room for him. The bonus is this is a guy who left school too early in the eyes of many but could have huge upside if he develops. He may be good to have when the Steelers have to let Wheaton go.