Steelers' Position Breakdown: The Tight Ends

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

So far we have covered the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, now it is time to turn our attention to the Steelers tight ends. One of the most underrated spots on the team, but also one of the most crucial in Bruce Arians offensive scheme.

Pittsburgh's TE's are not going to get a ton of media attention but they do have one who should. His name is Heath Miller and in our humble opinion here at Pittsburgh Blitz, the best TE in the league.

Steelers Position Breakdown of the Tight Ends

The Starters:

Heath Miller - Count tight end Heath Miller among the Steelers who want to play their entire NFL career in Pittsburgh. With Miller, though, his desire to finish what he started with the Steelers takes on more urgency as he approaches his final season under contract with the team that selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft.

"Obviously, I'd love to be a Steeler, and I'd love to spend my whole career here. But at the same time, I realize this is a business. You don't really know what's going to happen," Miller said following the Steelers' final OTA a few weeks ago.

Miller is a key cog in the offensive wheels of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His importance to the team is not measured by his statistics, but by what most fans don't see, his blocking and dependability. Miller does not miss blocking assignments nor does he drop passes. He is one of the most well-rounded players in the league at his position. Sure a few TE's might be better catchers and some may even be better blockers, but none bring both aspects to the table the way Miller does.

He needs to be the Steelers main priority this offseason. His contract is a must get done, as Miller is the one player the Steelers can not afford to lose.

Matt Spaeth - As a former John Mackey Award winner, Spaeth was full of promise when the Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. His first catch was a five yard touchdown, but he would go on to catch only four more passes for 34 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season.

At 6'7'', 270 lbs Spaeth should be a much better blocker then he is. Though he was not drafted to block for the Steelers, he was selected to be a huge red-zone target in the passing game. His rookie year yielded some promise as he caught a handful of touchdowns, but Spaeth has not done much since.

If his blocking does not improve he may not remain on the roster past this season. A solid red zone target for the team, but that's about the extent of his value to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sean McHugh - 

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