As expected, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to let more players leave than not and we saw multiple starters and top players sign elsewhere. In addition to multiple retirements by key players, we also got something of a surprise when the Steelers chose to release veteran linebacker Vince Williams.
Tech free agency kicks off Wednesday, but after just two days of legal mess, we decided we needed to update our draft needs based on the drama of this first wave of free agency.
A caveat on all of this. While I’m pretty stuck at 1-6, 7-10 are largely interchangeable at this point.
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Three things play a role in this decision. First Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement, Matt Feiler’s second signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, and finally David DeCastro’s age and contractual situation. Getting an elite center is ideal, but a guy with two tools who can move between center and guard would work well here too. Not the flashiest choice, but it would fulfill the most glaring need on the selection.
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It was a foregone conclusion that Bud Dupree would sign elsewhere, but as the Steelers showed no real confidence in Ola Adeniyi, this team has very little depth. The 2021 class of edge rushers is deep, but Pittsburgh needs to bring in someone who can contribute as a rookie.
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The release of Vince Williams came as a surprise and leaves the Steelers to replace him with a greater need than before. Marcus Allen and Robert Spillane don’t inspire confidence as an all-down linebacker and this puts a lot of pressure on Devin Bush coming back from a torn ACL.
If the Steelers re-sign Alejandro Villanueva, this need will drop significantly. But assuming he’s leaving free agency, Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor are your starters, but there’s little behind the depth map.
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I think most assumed the Steelers could safely re-sign Tyson Alualu. But his return to Jacksonville leaves some questions on the inside of the defense line. Pittsburgh still has to find a big, wide body to eat blockers and make life easier on the linebackers.
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How high the Steelers design need cornerback is is directly related to how confident they are in Justin Layne now that Mike Hilton has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. If the Steelers want to find another lock angle comparable to Hilton, they’ll have to make a concept choice for them.
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I know many Steelers experts want Pittsburgh to pull a tight end early. I am not one of those experts. Eric Ebron offers a solid reception option, and if Pittsburgh wants to find a blocking ending, they can do it on the third day of the draft.
Fortunately, even if the Steelers end up losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to another team, a wide receiver isn’t an issue for the Steelers. Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington will round out the depth map nicely. If the Steelers want to take a late flyer on a man, look for track speed.
Many Steelers fans will be clamoring for a quarterback in the upcoming version. And when one of the best guys falls to the Steelers in the first round, the front office has to make a decision. But if Pittsburgh can’t land one of those top guys, there’s really no point in thronging the QB room.
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For 2020, the Steelers’ safety depth map is fairly fixed. Minkah Fitzpatrick is truly an elite player and Terrell Edmunds is fine for what he is asked to do. It is highly unlikely that the Steelers will choose a different security with the different needs on the roster.