What to Expect from the Pittsburgh Steelers' Tight Ends After This Year

In continuing the series on how the Pittsburgh Steelers will do after this year, we spotlight one of the least recognizable positions on the Steelers, tight end.

Heath Miller

Heath Miller is entering his fifth year as a Steeler, and is one of the most important players on the offense.

Miller was drafted out of the University of Virginia with the 30th pick in the 2005 Draft. He was believed to be graded even higher than that, but with an injury late in his senior year, Miller fell to the end of the round.

In his rookie season, Miller was second on the team in receptions with 39 receptions for 459 yards and six touchdowns. He started in all but one contest, which was the only game of his career he had missed.

Whether it be catching passes or blocking, Miller has proved himself to Steeler Nation that he is one of the best tight ends in the game today.

Entering the final year of his contract, I believe that Heath Miller needs to be the top priority for the Steelers to sign to an extension.

Matt Spaeth

Spaeth was the Steelers' third round pick in the 2007 Draft out of Minnesota.

At 6'7" and 270 pounds, Spaeth is large enough to hold his own on blitzing corners and linebackers. Playing behind someone like Miller, Spaeth does not get a lot of opportunities at receiving, but has amassed 22 receptions for 170 yards and three scores.

Sean McHugh

Signed by the Steelers after being released by the Detroit Lions in September of last year, (how lucky was he?) McHugh is able to play both tight end and fullback.

He took a lot of playing time away from Spaeth because of his catching ability, and his ability to play full back.

Out of Penn State, McHugh played for the Packers and Lions before coming to the Steelers, but his career in Pittsburgh has been better than either of those stops.

David Johnson

Drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft out of Arkansas State, Johnson is going to have to compete for a spot on the practice squad. 

Dezmond Sherrod

Signed as a rookie free agent after the 2008 Draft, Sherrod spent last year either on the practice squad or not on a roster. With the addition of David Johnson, Sherrod may be the odd man out.

Outlook

Heath Miller is one of the best tight ends in the game, and as I said, he should be a priority for the Steelers to re-sign. Spaeth and McHugh will be competing for playing time, but the advantage goes to McHugh for his ability to play at the fullback position.

The other guys on the team are strictly for development, and none are looking like players that will overtake any of the starters for years to come.