Off season needs

[bradshaw2ben]

I think a real NT is top priority myself. McClendon could then be resigned to be the DE depth they need. Send Thomas packing.

After that:

An edge rusher
Safety
Middle rounds CB
Possibly a G

What is there about their play vs. the run that makes you think NT is top priority? McClendon is a free agent, so there may or may not be an issue with re-signing him... but frankly they were among the league's best vs. the run and they even play the run better with 2 DL on the field.

I think the future is more guys like they have, who can play 5 tech, 3 tech, and 1/0 tech. Add a more athletic guy who can hold the point well enough.

If they let Boykin go (huge mistake), I would take a Rd 1 or Rd2 CB with size who has the ability to be a true #1 CB. William Jackson, for instance. Otherwise, I'm with you: similar potential guy in mid to late rounds. (like my man Cheatham Norrils)

[jebrick]

This draft has no TE I would tke in the top 3 rounds. It is actually a perfect draft for Steeler TEs as I do not see a game changing athletic pass catcher in the lot. If they want another Miller they can get Vannett in the 3rd or 4th.

You wouldn't run to the podium for O.J. Howard? I would.

If the Steelers are totally changing how TEs work in their offense and want a player that does not block, run to the podium. I think they stick with the status quo and sign another Miller clone.

[Havoc]

We do not draft high enough for an elite LT so this plus Villy's performance and improvement and the fact that he is a physical freak adds up to him being the LT of the future IMO.

Add all of this up and I'm fine with that.

If they want to improve the OL they can look at LG.

We need to draft an edge rusher.

[bradshaw2ben]

Couple random thoughts...

If they do move on from Foster - what would Beachum look like at LG and Villy at LT?

Also - hopefully Golson turns out to be a decent player. I always forget about him.

No way Foster is leaving the lineup. None. Zero. There's more chance of Heath splitting time with another TE.

He is an emotional leader of a team whose locker room chemistry is about the best it's ever been. Those guys get signed for life here.

[Steel Mike]

Couple random thoughts...

If they do move on from Foster - what would Beachum look like at LG and Villy at LT?

Also - hopefully Golson turns out to be a decent player. I always forget about him.

No way Foster is leaving the lineup. None. Zero. There's more chance of Heath splitting time with another TE.

He is an emotional leader of a team whose locker room chemistry is about the best it's ever been. Those guys get signed for life here.

You're probably right. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Foster, Beachum, Villy if they bring all of them back.

[bradshaw2ben]

This draft has no TE I would tke in the top 3 rounds. It is actually a perfect draft for Steeler TEs as I do not see a game changing athletic pass catcher in the lot. If they want another Miller they can get Vannett in the 3rd or 4th.

You wouldn't run to the podium for O.J. Howard? I would.

If the Steelers are totally changing how TEs work in their offense and want a player that does not block, run to the podium. I think they stick with the status quo and sign another Miller clone.

You have James and what's left of Miller. Add a complement. I think a 2 TE set with James and Howard or Miller and Howard would have some real possibility.

[Havoc]

You have James and what's left of Miller. Add a complement. I think a 2 TE set with James and Howard or Miller and Howard would have some real possibility.

I would be thrilled to get Howard.

[jebrick]

Couple random thoughts...

If they do move on from Foster - what would Beachum look like at LG and Villy at LT?

Also - hopefully Golson turns out to be a decent player. I always forget about him.

Beachhum has been a bad run blocker. He was improved this year but I would not use him as a OG.

[steelmann58]

Beachum is a better Pass Guy no question,and I think Foster resigns cheap and wonder if they will try Finney at Guard?. As for TE Health play out his deal and the steelers might just pick up a TE but don't think you see it early in the draft.

[Legacy User]

Re Weddle

Weddle is in the final year of a four-year, $40 million contract that pays him $7.5 million this season. Weddle indicated he will pursue free agency after the season, in part because the Chargers' brass did not offer him a contract extension during the offseason.

The Steelers could use help in the secondary, and Weddle would provide Pittsburgh an experienced playmaker in the back end that the team hasn’t had since Troy Polamalu retired.

Weddle has a good relationship with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. And Mike Tomlin thinks highly of Weddle.

“I love Eric Weddle, always have,” Tomlin said. “He’s so versatile. He’s a sub-package linebacker. He plays strong safety. He plays free safety. He plays half-field, middle of the field. They blitz him. He’s a do-everything type of a player, and a good one.”

If there's one thing we have learned about the Steelers in free agency, they are predictable. I don't mean that disparagingly. If Weddle feels the same way about Tomlin you can book him as a 2016 Pittsburgh Steeler.

[Steelafan77]

Couple random thoughts...

If they do move on from Foster - what would Beachum look like at LG and Villy at LT?

Also - hopefully Golson turns out to be a decent player. I always forget about him.

No way Foster is leaving the lineup. None. Zero. There's more chance of Heath splitting time with another TE.

He is an emotional leader of a team whose locker room chemistry is about the best it's ever been. Those guys get signed for life here.

As much as I'd like to see Foster replaced due to lack of athletic ability and poor technique I agree with B2B. While, Beachum has the athleticism and technique down to play LG IMO he's far too light in the pants to play inside against the 320+ pound DLinemen of the league.

I like what Villanueva has done. I believe they have found the LT of the future. I don't even look at OLine in the draft. Of course if a "Blue Chip" prospect falls into my lap I think twice. I too focus on safety, pass rusher, DLine depth and yes QB depth. WR, TE, OLine and RB are very well set for them going forward.

Strong Safety (Will Allen as depth)
LOLB (Move Bud to ROLB)
QB (Competition/Depth)
DL (Competition/Depth)
CB (Competition/Depth)
CB/Safety/Returner (Competition/Depth)

[steelmann58]

Weddle might be a short term gap but they need a Playmaker someone there.
I am a little concern about the Tackle depth as well as the DL depth

[Legacy User]

Weddle might be a short term gap but they need a Playmaker someone there.

Weddle makes plays, has a high football IQ, and can be used in a lot of packages. I do agree though that he would be a shorter term answer. Hopefully you would get 2 maybe 3 solid years from him. I would take that for 7ish million a year all fuckin day.

[Steel Mike]

Weddle might be a short term gap but they need a Playmaker someone there.
I am a little concern about the Tackle depth as well as the DL depth

They can probably get Beachum cheaper now that he's injured. So depending on his recovery, he's either the starter or the swing tackle.

[SteelWIll]

how about OJ Howard, S, CB, DE w/ the 1st 4 picks?

[steelmann58]

I would think the steelers would have the inside track on Beachum but would he want to be a swing Tackle? I also wonder how much other teams value him as a LT. Yes I would not mind Weddle for the short term .

[Steelafan77]

Beachum may be serviceable at LT but IMO would be manhandled at RT. Weddle would be mistake. I hope they draft the next safety to groom. Weddle would eat up any/all snaps leaving the prospect rotting on the bench. S Thomas is a bust. Golden can play. Golden and Allen could be that stop gap instead of paying a FA like Weddle. JMO

[Legacy User]

99.99% sure that O.J Howard already announced his intention of going staying school.

[Steelafan77]

99.99% sure that O.J Howard already announced his intention of going staying school.

https://twitter.com/ClowESPN/status/688449746864861185

[Legacy User]

Weddle might be a short term gap but they need a Playmaker someone there.

Weddle makes plays, has a high football IQ, and can be used in a lot of packages. I do agree though that he would be a shorter term answer. Hopefully you would get 2 maybe 3 solid years from him. I would take that for 7ish million a year all fuckin day.

A stud vet like Weddle would be a huge. However, he's 31, has a lot of mileage on him, and his groin injury may limit whatever he's got left. Mitchell was awful playing through his groin injury in 2014 and he was just 26.

[Legacy User]

99.99% sure that O.J Howard already announced his intention of going staying school.

https://twitter.com/ClowESPN/status/688449746864861185

Thanks '77

[Legacy User]

With Ramon walking, what kind of guard would Pouncey make? Wallace isn't great but he works. The Pouncey boys have played guard and center throughout their careers although they are both All AFC at center. If Maurkice can excel at the position, it makes his salary easier to bear.

[jeemie]

Can you imagine our secondary options and what it would look like had we not let Brice McCain walk for chump change?

Of all the offseason moves we didn't make, that one still stings.

[steelmann58]

they need to upgrade the secondary need to find at least one playmaker.

[USS Steelerworks]

My list

Re-sign
Gay
Boykin
Foster
Geathers
McClendon
Allen or better SS in FA if they can afford it

Extend Timmons to cap friendly deal, long term deal for Decastro
Find a swing tackle in FA
Draft TE, SS, CB, OL
Find another punter for competition
Find a vet backup QB to push Landry for number 2 job
Cut Cortez Allen

They aren't that far off.

This is my exact list as well only I would add defensive end depth behind Heyward and McClendon. I think this team was extremely fortunate this year that these guys held up for playing almost every snap for 18 games. To expect that to happen again next year would be playing with fire. I also don't think OL is a major draft priority. OLB would become a priority depending on what happens with Jones.

[StillerInCT]

In order:

1.) Safety
2.) Edge Rusher
3.) Tight End
4.) Nose Tackle
5.) Corner depth
6.) Oline depth

[franco32]

OLB, Safety, and TE should be biggest priorities.

How many times did our OLBs beat a tackle in front of them one-on-one in the last say 8 games? It was rare. Peyton had all the time in the world yesterday except for a few disguised blitzes from safeties. That is a HUGE problem. We can't keep exposing an already limited secondary with these gamble blitzes. It is smoke and mirrors. Denver won yesterday in the clutch because its pass rushers came through. We have to find an impact player off the edge.

Obviously, we can't keep rolling with Will Allen and be exposed on his athleticism. He struggles badly in open space and we saw some of that again yesterday.

Finally, we have to fix our red zone issues. The Oline must improve against monster fronts, but we also need an impact TE to work the middle of the field. Right now, teams are so scared of our receivers that they leave Heath single covered by LBers. Unfortunately, Heath is too slow to expose that. He's done and yesterday showed it. I like Jesse James...he's really come on, but another TE in the draft is imperative.

[bradshaw2ben]

From a purely professional football career standpoint, Howard is making a huge mistake. Gigantic.

In a decidedly poor tight end draft class, he's head and shoulders the best right now. Even if there are some surprise declarations, he'd still be one of the first couple of TEs picked.

[bradshaw2ben]

OLB, Safety, and TE should be biggest priorities.

How many times did our OLBs beat a tackle in front of them one-on-one in the last say 8 games? It was rare. Peyton had all the time in the world yesterday except for a few disguised blitzes from safeties. That is a HUGE problem. We can't keep exposing an already limited secondary with these gamble blitzes. It is smoke and mirrors. Denver won yesterday in the clutch because its pass rushers came through. We have to find an impact player off the edge.

Obviously, we can't keep rolling with Will Allen and be exposed on his athleticism. He struggles badly in open space and we saw some of that again yesterday.

Finally, we have to fix our red zone issues. The Oline must improve against monster fronts, but we also need an impact TE to work the middle of the field. Right now, teams are so scared of our receivers that they leave Heath single covered by LBers. Unfortunately, Heath is too slow to expose that. He's done and yesterday showed it. I like Jesse James...he's really come on, but another TE in the draft is imperative.

I endorse this post ^^^

I'd be perfectly willing to take a CB in any round who could be #1 CB if he happens to be there and good value-- but franco's list is where I'm at and for the reasons he gave.

[Donnie Brasco]

Can you imagine our secondary options and what it would look like had we not let Brice McCain walk for chump change?

Of all the offseason moves we didn't make, that one still stings.

Yup- they could've had McCain AND Blake (not that I'm a Blake fan but the previous year both CB's played quite well down the stretch)