The Steelers were more active in free agency this year than most previous ones under general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin. They added five players from outside the organization and re-signed five free agents who were on the roster last season, six if you want to count long snapper Greg Warren.
The Steelers did not attempt to re-sign starting receiver Emmanuel Sanders, starting defensive ends Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood and starting linebacker Larry Foote. They could not (or preferred not) retain slot receiver Jerricho Cotchery or reserve defensive lineman Al Woods. They also let reserve tight end David Johnson and reserve running back Jonathan Dwyer leave without an offer.
That goes to show what the Steelers thought of the 2013 roster. Consecutive .500 and playoff-less seasons mandated changes.
The Steelers did retain outside linebacker Jason Worilds, who was designated with the franchise tag, reserve offensive linemen Cody Wallace and Guy Whimper, reserve tight end Michael Palmer and reserve defensive back Will Allen, along with longtime snapper Warren.
The Steelers went outside the organization to sign their starting free safety, Mike Mitchell, who played last season for Carolina. They also signed four other players who will provide depth and perhaps take on key roles with the team.
Lance Moore, a longtime target for Drew Brees in New Orleans, was signed to take the place of Cotchery in the slot. LeGarrette Blount was signed to backup Le’Veon Bell and to be a hammer in the goal line offense. Cam Thomas was signed to compete for a starting job along the defensive line. And Arthur Moats was signed to provide depth an inside and outside linebacker.
The Steelers are right up against the salary cap after signing Blount on Friday and likely are done signing free agents for the time being. One or two more could be added before training camp after they receive the $8 million in salary cap relief from LaMarr Woodley’s release.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Steelers’ needs at each position with the draft a little more than a month away.
Receiver: It is widely assumed the Steelers will draft a receiver in the first two rounds. The starter opposite Antonio Brown, for now, is unproven second-year player Markus Wheaton, who had a disappointing and injury-plagued rookie season after being selected in the third round last year. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers take two receivers.
Running back: The Steelers are set with Bell and Blount, but they could add a smaller and quicker type of back in the middle or later rounds of the draft. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley likes to have those types of players at his disposal.
Quarterback: The Steelers will not draft a quarterback after taking Landry Jones in the fourth round last year.
Tight end: This is an interesting position for the Steelers. Heath Miller is entering his 10th season. The hope is he bounces and returns to top form in 2014, but a future starter will have to be groomed at some point. Could the Steelers take Miller’s eventual replacement, perhaps even top-rated Eric Ebron in the first round?
Offensive line: The Steelers are set on the line with starters Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, David DeCastro and Kelvin Beachum. There might be some competition between Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams for the final job at right tackle. They are set with reserves too, so it’s likely the Steelers would only take a lineman in the middle or later as a developmental player.
Cornerback: If the Steelers do not take a receiver in the first round they are almost certain to take a cornerback. They have not drafted one in the first round since taking Chad Scott in 1997 and they need a long-term replacement for Ike Taylor, who will play his 12th and likely final season in 2014. It’s not of the question for the Steelers to draft two cornerbacks because the other starter, Cortez Allen, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Safety: The signing of Mitchell takes safety out of the equation in the draft. They have a young starter in Mitchell and a young backup strong safety in Shamarko Thomas, who is being groomed to take over for Troy Polamalu, who could be entering his final season.
Inside linebacker: Like tight end, this also is an interesting position. They are set with Lawrence Timmons at one starting spot. However, there is uncertainty at the other. Vince Williams, last year’s sixth-round pick, enters the offseason as the starter after the Steelers decided to cut veteran Larry Foote. Williams played OK for a rookie, but he could get some competition from Sean Spence, who is attempting to come back after missing two years with a knee injury, as well as fellow second-year pro Terrence Garvin. Overall, the depth is not bad, but there might not be a long-term starter among the group.
Outside linebacker: The Steelers used the franchise tag on Jason Worilds, who will play the 2014 season on a one-year contract unless he is signed to a long-term deal. On the right side they have Jarvis Jones, last year’s first-round pick who is coming off a disappointing rookie season. Moats was signed to provide depth, but the Steelers could use another developmental player to groom in case Worilds cannot be signed beyond 2014.
Defensive line: The Steelers have invested two first-round picks in defensive end in the past five years, but this unit is one of the thinnest on the team. Cam Heyward holds down one starting defensive end job. Cam Thomas was signed to compete for the starting job on the other side and could get competition from second-year players Brian Arnfelt and Nick Williams. Steve McLendon played nose tackle last season and could remain there. He could move to defensive end, too, if Thomas can play nose tackle. Expect the Steelers to draft a defensive lineman anytime after the first round.
*A couple of programming notes: My chat is today at 1:30 and Ed returns from vacation tomorrow.
First Published: April 6, 2016, 4:12 p.m.
