As expected, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to let more players leave than they did and we saw several beginners and top players sign elsewhere. In addition to several major player retirements, we also had a surprise when the Steelers decided to release veteran linebacker Vince Williams.
Technically, the free agency starts on Wednesday, but after just two days of legal tampering, we decided that we needed to update our draft needs based on the drama of this first wave of free agency.
A warning for all of this. Although I am quite stuck at 1-6, 7-10 are largely interchangeable at this point.
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Three things influence this decision. First, Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement, second Matt Feiler signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, and finally, the age and status of David DeCastro’s contract. Getting an elite center is ideal, but a guy with two tools who can move between the center and the guard would also work well here. It was not the most striking choice, but it would fill the most obvious need on the list.
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It was a foregone conclusion that Bud Dupree would sign elsewhere, but with the Steelers showing 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 launch of Vince Williams was a surprise and left the Steelers needing to replace him, a greater need than before. Marcus Allen and Robert Spillane do not inspire confidence as a complete linebacker and this puts a ton of pressure on Devin Bush coming back from a torn ACL.
If the Steelers sign again with Alejandro Villanueva, that need will decrease considerably. But assuming he leaves on his own, Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor are his starters, but there is very little behind either of them on the depth chart.
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I think the majority assumed that the Steelers would be able to safely sign Tyson Alualu again. But his return to Jacksonville leaves some questions inside the defensive line. Pittsburgh still needs to find a large, wide body to swallow blockers and make defenders’ lives easier.
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How high the cornerback in the Steelers draft is directly related to how confident they are in Justin Layne now that Mike Hilton has signed with Cincinnati Bengals. If the Steelers want to find another Hilton-like slot corner, they will have to send a draft selection to them.
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I know that many Steelers analysts want to see Pittsburgh draft against the tight end earlier. I am not one of those scholars. Eric Ebron offers a solid reception option and if Pittsburgh wants to find a tight end block, he can do so on the third day of the draft.
Fortunately, even if the Steelers end up losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to another team, the wide receiver is not a concern for Steelers. Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington will complete the depth chart very well. If the Steelers want to take a guy on a delayed flight, look for the speed of the runway.
Many Steelers fans will cry out for a quarterback in the next draft. And if one of the main guys falls for the Steelers in the first round, the board will have a decision to make. But if Pittsburgh can’t get one of those top guys, there’s really no point in filling the QB room.
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For 2020, the Steelers safety depth chart is well defined. Minkah Fitzpatrick is really an elite player and Terrell Edmunds is fine for what he asked to do. It is highly unlikely that the Steelers will spend a choice on another safety with the other needs on the list.