Breaking Down the Steelers' Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft
Now that the 2015 NFL draft is in the books, it is time to take a close look at the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Pittsburgh added a significant number of pieces to both sides of the football, and it will certainly have some difficult roster decisions to make through training camp.
In particular defense is the unit that could see some significant turnover. Between the linebackers and the defensive secondary, expect there to be lots of new faces for 2015. After returning to the playoffs after a two-season absence, the last thing Pittsburgh can afford to do with all this player turnover is lose ground.
Some units remain stable with little change post-draft, but others are very much in flux. The goal for this season has to be to replace those veterans that are leaving with athletes. Last season, the Steelers, in particular the defense, was once again maligned with a lack of athleticism and speed.
So, using the depth charts provided by the good folks at Ourlads, let’s take a quick look at the Steelers roster as we approach training camp.
Quarterback
1 of 9
Fortunately, when it comes to the quarterback position, things are in good hands. With so many teams scrambling and shuffling to find someone to run their offense, Pittsburgh fans can sleep well with Ben Roethlisberger under center.
Roethlisberger logged one of the best statistical seasons of his career in 2014, and there is nothing that says he could not top that in 2015. Roethlisberger is the consummate professional and while his style is unorthodox, you can tell his teammates would run through a wall for him.
Backups include veterans Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones and Tajh Boyd. This means there are essentially three guys fighting for two spots. Gradkowski is the solid veteran, and he is likely safe. The only difference will be if Pittsburgh is done with Jones as a developmental prospect and chooses to try Boyd.
Running Back
2 of 9
Similar to quarterback, the running back position is solid. Le’Veon Bell was one of the most productive all-around running backs in the league last year. He never needs to come off the field, is fluid as a wide receiver and can batter defenses.
Pittsburgh brought in DeAngelo Williams to be the veteran presence behind Bell on the roster. Williams has never been great, but as a fill-in type of player, he should be quite serviceable. The rest of the running back depth chart is fairly set as Dri Archer will continue to try to develop as a back, and Josh Harris is firmly on the bubble.
I thought the Steelers might dig into the deep 2015 running back class for some extra talent. However, they opted to stick with defense primarily and trust in who they have.
Wide Receiver
3 of 9
For all the talent on this team, no unit goes as deep as wide receiver. Antonio Brown is one of the best wide receivers in the entire league. Pittsburgh also has Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant to add even more punch to the passing offense. Bryant in particular was spectacular as a rookie.
Even with this, the Steelers didn’t fail to address even more wide receiver talent via the draft. Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on former Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates, to give the offense even more speed and explosion on the outside.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tight End
4 of 9
2015 might mark a changing of the guard at tight end for the Steelers. Don’t panic, Heath Miller isn’t going anywhere. Miller remains a fixture at tight end and does not appear to have lost a step. However, that doesn’t mean the Steelers shouldn’t still prepare for the future.
As of now, Matt Spaeth is the primary backup tight end. His skills are minimal and other than his ability to block, he brings very little to the party. The names to keep in mind for this year and the future are Rob Blanchflower and Jesse James. They both should make the final roster and will have an impact.
Offensive Line
5 of 9
Pittsburgh has maintained the status quo when it comes to the offensive line this offseason. The starters are set and remain entirely intact from last season. Center Maurkice Pouncey and guard David DeCastro are one of the best combos in the NFL and they anchor this group.
Tackles Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert are solid but not spectacular. They are better in the run game than they are in pass protection, but when you have Roethlisberger back there, this can be accounted for. The weak link in this group is guard Ramon Foster and is the most likely player to lose his spot.
Depth is solid as tackle Mike Adams and guards Chris Hubbard and Cody Wallace remain. The wild card might be UDFA center B.J. Finney. Finney has more talent than Wallace or Hubbard and could steal a roster spot.
Defensive Line
6 of 9
In the Steelers' 3-4 defense, the players that work along the defensive line are essentially interchangeable parts. There are a few guys on the roster that can’t play inside or outside, which can be both good and bad.
For the most part, the starters are in place. Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward will play defensive end, and for better or worse, it seems that Steve McLendon will continue his mediocre play at nose tackle.
The Steelers do have Cam Thomas, Leterrius Walton and Clifton Geathers to compete for the reserve spots at defensive end. Thomas can also fill in at nose tackle in a pinch, but the hope is that big Dan McCullers will take that next step and be that immovable object in the middle of that defense.
Linebacker
7 of 9
Pittsburgh has quietly built an exceptional group of linebackers, finalized with the 2015 draft. Talent on the inside was never in question. Guys like Ryan Shazier, Lawrence Timmons, Sean Spence and Vince Williams form an interior group that is athletic and complete. The Steelers just need to get Shazier up to speed and keep him healthy in order to realize all that potential.
On the outside, the Steelers entered the draft with serious needs on the outside. Without Jason Worilds, and James Harrison getting older, things looked bleak. Arthur Moats and Jarvis Jones don’t exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing offenses.
Nevertheless, the draft changed all that. Pittsburgh had Alvin “Bud” Dupree fall into their lap at No. 22, and that means the Steelers finally have that big, explosive edge-rusher they’ve been waiting for. Just the addition of him is sufficient for hope. However, the return of Jordan Zumwalt as well as late-round pick Anthony Chickillo give the Steelers even more options on the outside.
Secondary
8 of 9
Even though the Pittsburgh secondary is loaded with bodies, this is still an area with more questions than answers. Pittsburgh made a point to add bodies in the draft at both cornerback and safety, but I suspect it will take until the end of the preseason to sort out which guys give this team the best chance to win.
Pittsburgh has essentially six cornerbacks on the roster and will probably only keep four of them. Cortez Allen, Senquez Golson, William Gay, B.W. Webb, Antwon Blake and Doran Grant will duke it out all the way through camp to see who are the best fits for this defense. At this point, there is no edge. Rookies Golson and Grant have just as good a chance of playing as veterans Gay and Allen.
At safety, the retirement of Troy Polamalu has left a void that isn’t going to be adequately filled anytime soon. However, this team must move forward and that means the Steelers must fill that spot. Ideally, the Steelers would move a healthy Mike Mitchell to his more natural position of strong safety, and Pittsburgh brings in a new free safety.
Is that guy Shamarko Thomas, Will Allen or Robert Golden? Perhaps, but don’t rule out seventh-round pick Gerod Holliman. Even though he was taken late, Holliman is a ball hawk in the deep middle and could really add that aspect to a secondary that has struggled with turnovers.
Special Teams
9 of 9
There is very little special about the Pittsburgh special teams when it comes to punting. The Steelers did nothing to enhance their situation, and short of a miracle, Pittsburgh will be forced to endure another season of Brad Wing punting.
Fortunately, kicking is a happier tale. Shaun Suisham is incredibly reliable and deadly accurate. The Steelers are fortunate to have him, because it truly is a weapon.
The return game is very much up in the air. Antonio Brown is the best return man on the roster, but the Steelers need someone to step up and take that off him. Maybe this is the year that a guy like Dri Archer or Markus Wheaton recognizes this is a great way to make yourself indispensable if you are one of these guys.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
