With the signing of free agent tight end Ladarius Green, which is expected to become official today if he passes his physical, the Steelers have set themselves up to go heavy on defensive players in the draft next month.

The only position on offense that is a bit of a concern is left tackle. Kelvin Beachum was allowed to hit the open market and is free to sign elsewhere. Alejandro Villanueva, who played the final 12 games after Beachum was injured, would be the starter if Beachum does not return.

All other positions are solidified for the 2016 and many of them for years beyond.

That will allow the front office to concentrate on finding help for their defense in the draft. After allowing Antwon Blake, Will Allen and Steve McLendon to hit free agency, the Steelers are in need of a starting cornerback, a starting safety and a starting nose tackle should none of those players return.

They’re also in need of a backup defensive end and could be in the market for a backup inside linebacker if Sean Spence is not re-signed.

And it’s a good year to be in search of secondary players. The Steelers draft at No. 25 and should be able to land a future starter at either corner or safety. In the second, third and fourth rounds the Steelers could address their other needs.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Steelers addressed tight end in free agency rather than high in the draft. Hunter Henry is the best tight end coming out and some draft analysts don’t have a first-round grade on him. Henry is like a lot of tight ends coming out of the college ranks. He is a talented pass catcher who has to show at the NFL level that he can block. There are very few true dual-threat tight ends in the mold of Heath Miller.

Green isn’t Miller either, but he’s been in the league four years and is an adequate blocker with a NFL resume. With the college tight ends there is a true unknown about their ability to transition to NFL blocking schemes.

One overlooked aspect of Green’s signing is his former team seemed to get caught up in nostalgia rather than planning for the future. On Wednesday, the Chargers signed veteran tight end Antonio Gates to another two-year contract. He’s turning 36 in June. Green is turning 26 in May.

It’s understandable that Gates would want to finish his career in San Diego and it is understandable the Chargers would desire that as well. Maybe the Chargers aren’t convinced Green can be a starter in the NFL. Here is a story from the San Diego Union Tribune that explains some of their potential issues in going forward with Green.

The Steelers are giving Green his chance to strike out on his own and get out from under the shadow Gates. If he blossoms in Pittsburgh, the Chargers might look back on the first day of the 2016 league year as a forgettable one. 

First Published: April 8, 2016, 7:37 p.m.